Atrial fibrillation ablation: The key ingredient for managing arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an increasingly common arrhythmia. As the prevalence of this condition grows, it is becoming clear that it can cause a primary nonischemic cardiomyopathy in the absence of significantly elevated ventricular rates.1 Ruling out other nonischemic processes and distinguishing this condition from tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy is essential, as aggressive rhythm control of AF has the potential to reverse the cardiomyopathy. The most recent iteration of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/American College of Clinical Pharmacy/Heart Rhythm Society Guideline for Diagnosis and Management of AF supports the role of a primary rhythm control strategy in these patients.