Can atrial fibrillation be cured?

Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
Updated on September 06, 2024
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Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia in daily life. Many patients often ask their doctors after being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, "Can my atrial fibrillation be cured?" The answer is affirmative. With the advancement of medical technology, some patients can be completely cured of atrial fibrillation, which needs to be analyzed and judged based on the treatment methods for atrial fibrillation. First, medication treatment, which is currently the mainstream method for treating atrial fibrillation. Most patients use medication treatment, but it cannot effectively cure atrial fibrillation. Second, radiofrequency ablation treatment, which is a minimally invasive means of treating atrial fibrillation. This technology has become very mature, and many patients have achieved complete cure of atrial fibrillation through radiofrequency ablation treatment. Third, surgical treatment, where a portion of the patients undergo a Maze procedure during surgery, which can also achieve the purpose of curing atrial fibrillation.

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Written by Zeng Wei Jie
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Can atrial fibrillation be completely cured?

Regarding whether atrial fibrillation can be completely cured, it essentially depends on the definition of being completely cured. If the criterion is complete cessation of medication, then many patients cannot achieve this. However, if the standard is conversion of atrial fibrillation back to normal sinus rhythm, then it is achievable for many patients, such as those with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, who suffer from recurrent episodes and do not respond well to medication. In such cases, radiofrequency ablation might be attempted, and there is a high likelihood that after the treatment, the rhythm will convert to sinus rhythm. In this sense, some people can be considered cured. However, whether anticoagulation therapy can be discontinued depends on their thromboembolic risk score. This means that even if atrial fibrillation converts to sinus rhythm after radiofrequency ablation, some patients still need long-term anticoagulant medication. Therefore, from the perspective of discontinuing medication, such patients with atrial fibrillation are not considered cured.

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Written by Tang Li
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How is atrial fibrillation surgery performed?

Frequent atrial fibrillation attacks with a rapid ventricular rate, in cases unresponsive to drug treatment, can be managed by atrioventricular node ablation followed by the placement of a ventricular demand or dual-chamber pacemaker. Other treatment methods include radiofrequency ablation, surgical operations, and implantation of atrial defibrillators. In recent years, there have been significant advances in the methods for atrial fibrillation ablation, and the indications for atrial fibrillation ablation have been expanded. However, the success rate remains suboptimal and the recurrence rate is relatively high. Currently, international guidelines still categorize radiofrequency ablation as a second-line treatment for atrial fibrillation, not as the first choice treatment.

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Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
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Atrial fibrillation is caused by what?

Atrial fibrillation can occur in healthy individuals, sometimes triggered by emotional excitement, surgery, exercise, or excessive drinking. It often occurs in patients with existing cardiovascular diseases, such as rheumatic heart disease, coronary artery disease, hypertensive heart disease, hyperthyroidism, constrictive pericarditis, myocarditis, infective endocarditis, and chronic pulmonary heart disease. Atrial fibrillation can also occur in middle-aged and young adults without cardiac diseases, known as lone atrial fibrillation.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
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Can elderly people with atrial fibrillation take calcium tablets?

Elderly patients with atrial fibrillation can take calcium supplements if their condition requires it, such as those with osteoporosis. Generally, taking calcium supplements does not affect atrial fibrillation nor does it impact the effectiveness of the medications treating atrial fibrillation. However, calcium supplements themselves do not have an effect on atrial fibrillation and cannot reduce the occurrences of atrial fibrillation episodes. When atrial fibrillation occurs repeatedly, it is necessary to take anticoagulant medications under the guidance of a doctor, such as warfarin or the newer oral anticoagulant medication rivaroxaban, to prevent the formation of blood clots and avoid complications caused by clots from atrial fibrillation. Additionally, if the heart rate is fast, it is appropriate to take medications that control heart rate to improve symptoms.

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Written by Chen Ya
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Is heart palpitation the same as atrial fibrillation?

Palpitations are considered a disease term in Chinese medicine, while atrial fibrillation is a medical term in Western medicine. Generally, if there is a correlation between Chinese and Western medical terminology, palpitations can correspond to atrial fibrillation, but not all cases of palpitations are atrial fibrillation. In Chinese medicine, palpitations refer to a subjective feeling of unease or discomfort in the chest, and a feeling of irregular heartbeats. For example, some people may feel their heartbeat distinctly even when their heart rate is not fast, especially when their blood pressure is high; this is also considered palpitations. Additionally, some people may experience a rapid "thumping" heart rate after physical exertion or when they have a fever, which is also a manifestation of palpitations. There are also healthy, sensitive young individuals who can feel their heartbeat while lying down quietly or during sleep, which is also classified as palpitations. However, palpitations that are caused by heart arrhythmias, like atrial fibrillation, where individuals can feel their heart beating rapidly and experience anxiety, are specifically indicative of atrial fibrillation; other types are not considered the same.