Which treatment strategy is commonly used for atrial fibrillation?

The treatment strategy commonly used for atrial fibrillation (AF) includes both rate control and anticoagulation, making it the most appropriate choice. In atrial fibrillation, the heart's rhythm is irregular and often fast, which can lead to insufficient blood flow to the body and increase the risk of thromboembolic complications, such as stroke.

Rate control aims to manage the heart rate to prevent symptoms and complications associated with rapid ventricular response. This is typically achieved through medications such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and sometimes digoxin.

Anticoagulation is essential to reduce the risk of stroke, as patients with atrial fibrillation are at a higher risk of forming blood clots in the atria. Anticoagulants, such as warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants, are prescribed based on individual patient assessment, often using scoring systems like CHA2DS2-VASc to guide therapy.

While other strategies, such as cardioversion, can restore normal sinus rhythm, they often do not address the long-term management of atrial fibrillation. Similarly, digoxin and diuretics may be used in specific scenarios but are not comprehensive treatments for AF by themselves. Vagal maneuvers can help temporarily