الفهرس 
Atrial FibrillationOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in clinical
practice, accounting for approximately one-third of hospitalizations for
cardiac rhythm disturbance. AF is associated with an increased long-term
risk of stroke, heart failure, and all-cause mortality, especially in women.
The observation that potentials arising in or near the ostia of the
pulmonary veins (PV) often provoke AF and demonstration that
elimination of these foci abolished AF escalated enthusiasm for catheterbased
ablation. The technique of ablation has continued to evolve from
early attempts to target individual ectopic foci within the PV to
circumferential electrical isolation of the entire PV musculature.
Restoration of sinus rhythm after catheter ablation for AF
significantly improved left ventricular function, exercise capacity,
symptoms, and quality of life (usually within the first 3 to 6 months),
even in the presence of concurrent heart disease and when ventricular rate
control was adequate before ablation.