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Part of the book series: Developments in Cardiovascular Medicine ((DICM,volume 183))

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Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia seen in clinical practice. In the Framingham study, the incidence is estimated to be 2% to 4% of the general population above 65 years of age [1]. The incidence is even higher in patients with underlying heart disease [2]. Atrial fibrillation may be associated with hemodynamic impairment, occasionally disabling symptoms, and a decrease in life expectancy. In advanced heart failure, atrial fibrillation is common and was found to be a marker for increased risk of death [3]. The most important concern with atrial fibrillation relates to its embolic manifestations that, in 75% of instances, result in cerebrovascular accidents [4, 5].

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© 1996 Kluwer Academic Publishers

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Lévy, S. (1996). Atrial fibrillation: maintaining the sinus rhythm. In: Oto, M.A. (eds) Practice and Progress in Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology. Developments in Cardiovascular Medicine, vol 183. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0219-0_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0219-0_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6582-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-0219-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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