The role of antiarrhythmic agents in the treatment of atrial firbrillation

Abstract

One of the most frequently occurring cardiac arrythmia is atrial fibrillation. Within the heart there is a point where electrical activity is generated from, a node located in the atrium called the sinoatrial node is the point that generates the electrical activity for the heart. When there is an abnormal generation of electrical activity it causes a fibrillation of the heart, this is characterized by tachyarrhythmia (increased heartbeat). The major nonmodifiable risk factors for AF are probably male gender and age. Among the general population, the occurrence of AF is reported to be around 0.4 to 1%, with rates as high as 8 to 10% per year in people over 80.