Fibrilación auricular
Más vale prevenir que tratar
Resumen
La fibrilación auricular es la arritmia cardíaca sostenida más frecuente. Afecta a 0,6% de la población, y a 6% y 8% de los sujetos mayores de 60 y 80 años, respectivamente. Los pacientes con fibrilación atrial tienen una morbilidad cinco veces mayor y el doble de mortalidad.
En esta revisión analizamos la remodelación auricular eléctrica y anatómica. También discutimos sobre los factores de riesgo más relevantes para desarrollar fibrilación atrial. La edad es el más importante, seguida por la disfunción diastólica, provocada en la gran mayoría por la hipertensión arterial. El tratamiento agresivo de la hipertensión puede invertir los cambios estructurales provocados por la hipertensión en el corazón y retardar o prevenir la ocurrencia de la fibrilación atrial. Se describe el efecto de fármacos no antiarrítmicos y antiarrítmicos. Finalmente enfocamos aspectos de la prevención primaria y secundaria.
La fibrilación auricular no es una entidad homogénea, varios parámetros afectan su origen, perpetuación y terminación. En algunos pacientes nuestro objetivo es modesto, reducir la frecuencia, duración y severidad de los episodios. Pero en otros se puede prevenir en forma definitiva.
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