Similar to the increasing prevalence of AFIB and AFLUT, the incidence of both these diseases is estimated to double with each passing decade of adult life. In addition, North America had the greatest age-adjusted prevalence for both AFIB and AFLUT when compared with other continents. Studies have found white people over the age of 50 with higher prevalence when compared to black people. Besides age, race and geographical location have a special preference for both AFIB and AFLUT. Consequently, these 2 diseases are rare in children and healthy young adults. Especially vulnerable is the geriatric population: known as the ‘disease of the old’, these 2 diseases have age as the major determinant in calculating prevalence. Some data suggests that the projected incidence may be as high as 8 million by 2050. With the ever increasing population, the incidence rate of AFIB is thought to double by 2050. This literature review serves as one of the guideline papers for current up-to-date management on both AFIB and AFLUT.Ītrial Fibrillation (AFIB) and Atrial Flutter (AFLUT) are recognized as the most common cardiac arrhythmias in the world. However, while advances in technologies have helped elucidate many aspects of these diseases, many mysteries still remain. Newer novel drugs targeting specific ion channels are approaching the stages of clinical investigation. Newer techniques like left atrial appendage (LAA) has been developed and is a highly attractive concept for the future in the management of AFIB/AFLUT.
Catheter ablation is an effective treatment option in certain patients that have AFIB/AFLUT refractory to medical management.
Anti-coagulation therapy in both the disease population is essential. In some situations, atrial rhythms may not be well controlled by these anti-arrhythmic drugs, making cardioversion to sinus rhythm necessary. Rate control (along with rhythm control) is the first line of management for symptomatic AFIB/AFLUT with Rapid Ventricular Rate (RVR). Management of these two diseases has been a challenge for physicians. The term ‘flutter’ and ‘fibrillation’ were first coined to differentiate the differences between fast, regular contractions in Atrial Flutter (AFLUT) with irregular, vermiform contractions of Atrial Fibrillation (AFIB).
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