This review highlights that optimal management of concurrent AF and HF involves early comorbidity control, guideline-directed medical therapy, and catheter ablation for rhythm control in appropriately selected patients.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Atrial fibrillation and heart failure frequently co-exist. This review discusses the comorbidity of atrial fibrillation and heart failure, the bi-directional link between them, and the recent advances in the management of these co-existing diseases. RECENT FINDINGS: Catheter ablation received a class 1 A recommendation for patients with AF and HF, after overwhelming evidence in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and end-stage heart failure, while clinical trials are still lacking in patients with preserved ejection. Guideline-medical therapy of heart failure decreases the incidence of atrial fibrillation and the progression of atrial myopathy. Based on the current evidence, management of patients with both HF and AF should be include early optimization of comorbidity control, guideline-medical therapy for heart failure, and rhythm control preferentially through catheter ablation in properly selected patients.
Bidaoui et al. (Thu,) studied this question.