Elaine Winkel | Search PubMed

PubMed2003

Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic options to maintain sinus rhythm: guideline-based and new approaches.

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia in patients with heart failure and is responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality. Restoration and preservation of sinus rhythm, therefore, has a premium. Of the numerous treatment options available, many must be avoided because of their potential for adverse effects or because of limited proof of efficacy in defined populations. Published guidelines provide help by synthesizing clinical trial data into a recommended approach. This article summarizes current information regarding the best methods applicable to patients with left ventricular dysfunction for rate control, sinus rhythm restoration and maintenance, and stroke prevention. New and evolving therapies and how they might fit into the evolving treatment paradigm are also briefly reviewed.

Amiodarone↗

PubMed2002

Myocarditis.

Myocarditis and its sequela, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), cause substantial morbidity and mortality, especially in children and young adults. Physicians should include myocarditis in the differential diagnosis of all patients who have new symptoms of heart failure, arrhythmia, or chest pain syndromes of unclear cause, and should strongly consider performing endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) to establish the diagnosis. It may be necessary to perform multiple or serial biopsies to increase sensitivity. Patients with myocarditis and symptomatic heart failure, chest pain, or arrhythmias need hospitalization for evaluation and treatment. Patients with symptomatic left ventricular dysfunction should be treated with conventional heart failure therapy, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, digitalis, diuretics, and beta-blockers. Patients with arrhythmias or syncope may require electrophysiologic evaluation. In addition to conventional therapy, physicians should consider a course of immunosuppressive therapy in selected patients. The clinical course, response to therapy, and left ventricular function need close monitoring. Patients with myocarditis and rapidly progressive heart failure or cardiogenic shock should be referred early to an advanced heart failure center for implantation of a ventricular assist device and consideration for cardiac transplantation.

Journal Article↗