[Atrial fibrillation: epidemiologic stakes, definition, and economic aspects]. / Fibrillation atriale: enjeux épidémiologiques, définition, nosologie, médico-économie.

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the general population. Morbidity and mortality are essentially related to stroke and heart failure. Despite a long history of medical exploration of AFib, many aspects deserve to be considered including AFib definitions, epidemiologic stakes and economic burden posed by AFib. Such aspects are integral part of the evaluation, and accordingly both clinical and therapeutic AFib patients approach. Through this article these various aspects were raised in order to help the clinician to better understand this arrhythmia which is generally easy to identify but often delicate and complex to treat.

[Evaluation and surveillance of patients with an implantable defibrillator]. / Evaluation et surveillance des patients avec un défibrillateur implantable.

The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator became in some years the reference treatment of ventricular arrhythmias in association with heart disease. Recently, this technique showed its efficiency in primary prevention for patients at high risk of sudden death. The follow-up of patients with automatic defibrillator requires a detailed knowledge of both electrophysiology and stimulation. This training is based on a practical and theoretical formation. In France, a specific diploma validation is necessary and centres organisation is required. The purpose of this general review is to supply a set of updated data necessary for the coverage and the follow-up of patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.