Treating Atrial Fibrillation
The goals of treatment are to:
- Restore a regular rhythm, if possible
- Keep heart rate as close to normal as possible
- Prevent blood clots from forming
If an underlying cause of atrial fibrillation is found, it may be treated. Some patients return to a normal rhythm without treatment.
Treatments include:
Drugs to slow and regulate heart rate, such as:
- Digitalis
- Verapamil
- Diltiazem
- Propranolol
- Quinidine
- Procainamide
- Other antiarrhythmic drugs
Drugs to prevent clot formation, called anticoagulants or blood thinners, such as:
Cardioversion is a procedure that uses an electrical current or drugs to help normalize the heart rhythm. If atrial fibrillation has lasted 48 hours or more, you may be given blood thinners before this procedure.
In some cases, an area of the atria that is deemed to be responsible for the atrial fibrillation may be surgically removed or altered (ablated) with various techniques, including cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation , to prevent it from persistently generating the rhythm disturbance.
Avoid caffeine and other stimulants because they may trigger another episode. Alcohol may also act as a trigger in some people.