Tratamiento farmacológico de la fibrilación auricular. Antiarrítmicos y anticoagulantes orales

The pharmacological treatment of atrial fibrillation is based on two fundamental approaches: stroke prevention using oral anticoagulants and control of the arrhythmia itself, primarily by heart rate or rhythm control. This review provides an overview of the main characteristics of each of the principal anticoagulants, from classical vitamin-K antagonists to the most recent direct anticoagulants. In addition, the different treatments used to control the heart rate are discussed, as are the various antiarrhythmic drugs used both to induce reversion to normal sinus rhythm and to maintain a normal rhythm once it has been achieved.