Cardiology and the new GMS contract for GPs

With an ageing population in the United Kingdom, atrial fibrillation has become an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality, and a burden on health resources. Drug therapies for the management of atrial fibrillation have a number of roles, including the restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm and the prevention of thrombo-embolic complications. New anti-arrhythmic drugs are under development and alternatives to warfarin are being investigated. This article examines the current knowledge on the effectiveness of drug therapy in atrial fibrillation and discusses some aspects of the future of drug therapy for atrial fibrillation.