Treatment Overview

In some patients, atrial fibrillation may possibly be cured. In most patients, atrial fibrillation is a usually a chronic condition. Treatment for atrial fibrillation is focused on restoring normal heart rhythm and avoiding complications such as blood clots and stroke.

Types of Treatments

Treatment for atrial fibrillation includes:

  • Medications
  • Catheter or surgical ablation
  • Electrical cardioversion
  • Pacemaker implantation
  • Left atrial appendage ligation
  • Lifestyle changes

Medications – Medications for atrial fibrillation include:

Beta blockers, which help to slow heart rate. Beta blockers used for the treatment of atrial fibrillation include:

  • Atenolol
  • Carvedilol
  • Metoprolol

Direct-acting anticoagulants, which help thin the blood and prevent blood clots and stroke. Direct-acting anticoagulants used for the treatment of atrial fibrillation include:

  • Clopidogrel
  • Edoxaban
  • Dabigatran
  • Heparin
  • Warfarin

Calcium channel blockers, such as diltiazem and verapamil, which help to control heart rate

Digitalis or digoxin, which control the rate that blood is pumped throughout the body

Anti-arrhythmic drugs, which help to prevent irregular heart rhythms. Anti-arrhythmic drugs used for the treatment of atrial fibrillation include:

  • Amiadarone
  • Dofetilide
  • Flecainide
  • Propafenone
  • Solatol

Catheter or surgical ablation – This procedure uses electrical energy to destroy the tissue that is causing the atrial fibrillation. Catheter or surgical ablation may need to be repeated if the atrial fibrillation recurs. Catheter or surgical ablation can be used in combination with pacemaker implantation.

Electrical cardioversion – This procedure for treating atrial fibrillation restores normal heart rhythm through the use of low-energy shocks to the heart. Electrical cardioversion may be used in an emergency such as an irregular heart rhythm or heart attack.

Pacemaker implantation – A pacemaker may be implanted for atrial fibrillation if another irregular heartbeat is present.

Left atrial appendage ligation – This surgical procedure for atrial fibrillation can be used to prevent blood clots and stroke. Left atrial appendage ligation may be performed at the same time as catheter or surgical ablation.

Lifestyle changes – Lifestyle changes for atrial fibrillation include:

  • Exercise
  • Heart-healthy diet, such as the DASH diet
  • Lower salt intake
  • Limiting or avoiding alcohol
  • Managing stress
  • Quitting smoking
  • Weight loss

Any underlying disorders that contribute to the risk of atrial fibrillation, such as overweight or obesity, overactive thyroid, also called hyperthyroidism, or sleep apnea will also require treatment.

Long-Term Follow Up

Ongoing, long-term follow-up is an essential part of treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation because the condition can reoccur even after it has been treated.

Sources

This content was written by the MediFind Medical Team. Last updated: 6/9/2022

Medications for Atrial Fibrillation

These are drugs that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning they have been determined to be safe and effective for use in Atrial Fibrillation.

Found 14 Approved Drugs for Atrial Fibrillation

Xarelto

Generic Name
Rivaroxaban

Xarelto

Generic Name
Rivaroxaban
Form: Tablet, Kit, Granule, For
Method of administration: Oral
FDA approval date: July 01, 2011
Classification: Factor Xa Inhibitor
XARELTO is a factor Xa inhibitor indicated: to reduce risk of stroke and systemic embolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Apixaban

Brand Names
Eliquis 30-Day, Eliquis

Apixaban

Brand Names
Eliquis 30-Day, Eliquis
Form: Tablet, Kit
Method of administration: Oral
FDA approval date: December 28, 2012
Classification: Factor Xa Inhibitor
Apixaban tablet is a factor Xa inhibitor indicated: to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Dabigatran Etexilate

Brand Names
Pradaxa, Dabigatran

Dabigatran Etexilate

Brand Names
Pradaxa, Dabigatran
Form: Pellet, Capsule
Method of administration: Oral
FDA approval date: August 08, 2011
Classification: Direct Thrombin Inhibitor
Dabigatran etexilate capsules are direct thrombin inhibitor indicated: To reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Verapamil

Brand Names
Verapamil HCI, Trandolapril, Verelan

Verapamil

Brand Names
Verapamil HCI, Trandolapril, Verelan
Form: Injection, Tablet, Capsule
Method of administration: Oral, Intravenous
FDA approval date: October 01, 1986
Classification: Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor
Verapamil hydrochloride injection, USP is indicated for the following: Rapid conversion to sinus rhythm of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias, including those associated with accessory bypass tracts (Wolff-Parkinson-White [W-P-W] and Lown-Ganong- Levine [L-G-L] syndromes). When clinically advisable, appropriate vagal maneuvers (e.g., Valsalva maneuver) should be attempted prior to verapamil hydrochloride administration. Temporary control of rapid ventricular rate in atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation except when the atrial flutter and/or atrial fibrillation are associated with accessory bypass tracts (Wolff-Parkinson-White (W-P-W) and Lown-Ganong-Levine (L-G-L) syndromes). In controlled studies in the United States, about 60% of patients with supraventricular tachycardia converted to normal sinus rhythm within 10 minutes after intravenous verapamil hydrochloride. Uncontrolled studies reported in the world literature describe a conversion rate of about 80%. About 70% of patients with atrial flutter and/or fibrillation with a faster ventricular rate respond with a decrease in ventricular rate of at least 20%. Conversion of atrial flutter or fibrillation to sinus rhythm is uncommon (about 10%) after verapamil hydrochloride and may reflect the spontaneous conversion rate, since the conversion rate after placebo was similar. Slowing of the ventricular rate in patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter lasts 30 to 60 minutes after a single injection. Because a small fraction (<1.0%) of patients treated with verapamil hydrochloride respond with life-threatening adverse responses (rapid ventricular rate in atrial flutter/fibrillation and an accessory bypass tract, marked hypotension, or extreme bradycardia/asystole-see CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS ), the initial use of verapamil hydrochloride injection should, if possible, be in a treatment setting with monitoring and resuscitation facilities, including D.C.-cardioversion capability. As familiarity with the patient's response is gained, use in an office setting may be acceptable. Cardioversion has been used safely and effectively after verapamil hydrochloride injection.

Flecainide Acetate

Generic Name
Flecainide Acetate

Flecainide Acetate

Generic Name
Flecainide Acetate
Form: Tablet
Method of administration: Oral
FDA approval date: October 28, 2002
Classification: Antiarrhythmic
In patients without structural heart disease, flecainide acetate tablets, USP are indicated for the prevention of — paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias (PSVT), including atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia, atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia and other supraventricular tachycardias of unspecified mechanism associated with disabling symptoms — paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter (PAF) associated with disabling symptoms Flecainide acetate tablets, USP are also indicated for the prevention of — documented ventricular arrhythmias, such as sustained ventricular tachycardia ( sustained VT), that in the judgment of the physician are life-threatening. Use of flecainide acetate tablets, USP for the treatment of sustained VT, like other antiarrhythmics, should be initiated in the hospital. The use of flecainide acetate tablets, USP are not recommended in patients with less severe ventricular arrhythmias even if the patients are symptomatic. Because of the proarrhythmic effects of flecainide acetate tablets, USP, its use should be reserved for patients in whom, in the opinion of the physician, the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks. Flecainide acetate tablets, USP should not be used in patients with recent myocardial infarction. (See BOXED WARNINGS.) Use of flecainide acetate tablets, USP in chronic atrial fibrillation has not been adequately studied and is not recommended. (See BOXED WARNINGS.) As is the case for other antiarrhythmic agents, there is no evidence from controlled trials that the use of flecainide acetate tablets, USP favorably affects survival or the incidence of sudden death.
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