Atrial fibrillation: new drugs, devices, and procedures.

The way atrial fibrillation is managed has changed in recent years. Although new anticoagulants are available and more are coming, they offer only marginal benefit over warfarin (Coumadin) and have the disadvantages that their levels cannot be monitored and that their effect cannot be reversed rapidly if bleeding develops. Attempts should be made To Whom It May Concern: control symptomatic atrial fibrillation, first with antiarrhythmic drugs, then with radiofrequency ablation or with a combination. Ablation can be repeated for fibrillation that persists after the first few months.