Risk Factor Management Before and After Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

Card Electrophysiol Clin. 2020 Jun;12(2):141-154. doi: 10.1016/j.ccep.2020.02.009.

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasingly recognized as the cardiac electrophysiologic manifestation of a multifactorial systemic disease. Several risk factors for development of AF have been identified; many are modifiable. There is evidence to suggest that aggressive management of modifiable risk factors has potential to significantly reduce the burden of AF, before and after AF ablation. Specific risk factor management (RFM) clinics have been shown effective in conferring these benefits into tangible improvements in large cohorts of patients. This review discusses the evidence behind RFM as a key adjunctive management strategy alongside AF ablation and suggests a model for RFM in clinics.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Catheter ablation; Risk factor management.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Atrial Fibrillation* / complications
  • Atrial Fibrillation* / epidemiology
  • Atrial Fibrillation* / prevention & control
  • Atrial Fibrillation* / surgery
  • Catheter Ablation / adverse effects*
  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Heart Disease Risk Factors
  • Humans
  • Hypertension
  • Obesity
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes