Evaluation and Treatment of Arrhythmias in Heart Failure
Year: 2003
Type: book-chapter
Abstract: Arrhythmias contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality in patients with symptomatic heart failure. Atrial fibrillation is a frequent cause and effect of heart failure exacerbation (1,2). As discussed below, the onset of atrial fibrillation is an independent negative prognostic sign in advanced heart failure (3,4). Approximately 300,000 people in the United States die suddenly each year, presumably largely a result of ventricular arrhythmias; the majority have pre-existing ventricular dysfunction (5). It has been estimated that 50% of deaths in patients with symptomatic heart failure are sudden, presumably arrhythmic (6,7). Furthermore, the relative contribution of sudden death to total mortality seems to be highest in patients with more preserved functional class. Against this highly emotionally charged back drop, the desire to find effective treatment for all patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) is certainly understandable.
Source: Humana Press eBooks
Author: David J. Callans
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W108712197