Maintenance of sinus rhythm and treatment of atrial fibrillation in mitral stenosis

Rheumatic fever is the most common cause of mitral stenosis. The most common complication of mitral stenosis is atrial fibrillation (AF). AF precipitates symptoms, greatly increases the risk of systemic embolisation, and reduces cardiac output and exercise capacity. Systemic embolization most often occurs in patients with both AF and mitral stenosis. Maintenance of the sinus rhythm in patients with mitral stenosis is very important because of reduce the risk of cerebral embolism, conservation of cardiac output and exercise capacity, and reduction of symptoms.