| [ Summary ] |
Data from not only Europe and United States but also Japan show that the most important cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including dialysis patients, is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Arrhythmia is one of the CVD, and atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequently encountered type of arrhythmia in clinical settings. The prevalence of patients with AF is annually increasing among the general population and hospitalized patients. Although AF is not directly linked with mortality, clinicians often find treatment for patients with CKD and AF problematic. Therefore, determining the optimal management strategy for such patients is important. However, the results of many clinical studies have supported that general clinical guidelines do not apply for patients with CKD. Based on these facts, in treating patients with CKD and AF, the clinical characteristics of CKD should be considered. |