Emergency Department Management of Recent-Onset Atrial Fibrillation. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weant, Kyle A.; Matuskowitz, Andrew J.; Gregory, Haili; Caporossi, Jeffrey; Hall, Gregory A.
• Other Names: Weant Kyle A. section editor.
• Is Part Of: Advanced emergency nursing journal. Volume 42:Number 3(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: atrial fibrillation -- emergency medicine -- procainamide -- rhythm; Emergency nursing -- Periodicals; Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; 616.02505
• DOI: 10.1097/TME.0000000000000306
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1931-4485

Abstract

Abstract : Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common tachyarrhythmia managed in the emergency department (ED). Visits to the ED for a presentation of AF have been increasing in recent years, with an admission rate that exceeds 60% in the United States and contributes substantially to health care costs. Recent-onset AF—defined as symptom onset less than 48 hr—is a common ED presentation for which rate control or acute electrical or pharmacological cardioversion may be appropriate treatment modalities depending on patient-specific circumstances. The focus of this review is to discuss the current recommendations regarding the management of recent-onset nonvalvular AF in the ED, discuss medication administration considerations, and identify implementation strategies in the ED to optimize throughput and reduce hospital admissions.