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Prophylaxis of Atrial Fibrillation: What are the Benefits and Risks of the Different Antiarrhythmic Drugs?

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Cardiac Arrhythmias 1995

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Abstract

The role of antiarrhythmic drugs in the prevention of chronic recurrences or paroxysmal episodes of atrial fibrillation (AF) has recently come into question after some observations showing the risks that treated patients may face in terms of morbidity or mortality (1–5). On the other hand, AF may be strongly symptomatic, particularly in the paroxysmal form, and is not without risks in terms of complications secondary to thromboembolism (6–8) and left ventricular dysfunction (9–11). For these reasons the decision to treat a patient is not easy and the risks/benefits balance of such a therapeutic intervention should first always be considered.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sezione di Cardiologia, Istituto di Medicina Interna, Università di Pavia, Pavia, Italy

    M. Chimienti

  2. Centro Cardiovascolare “E. Malan”, Ospedale Universitario di S. Donato, S. Donato Milanese, Italy

    S. Barbieri

Authors
  1. M. Chimienti
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  2. S. Barbieri
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Divisione di Cardiologia, Ospedale Umberto I, Via Circonvallazione 50, I-30174, Venezia Mestre, Italy

    Antonio Raviele MD

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© 1996 Springer-Verlag Italia, Milano

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Chimienti, M., Barbieri, S. (1996). Prophylaxis of Atrial Fibrillation: What are the Benefits and Risks of the Different Antiarrhythmic Drugs?. In: Raviele, A. (eds) Cardiac Arrhythmias 1995. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2223-2_44

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2223-2_44

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-75012-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-2223-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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