scholarly journals Use of rate control medication before cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation or flutter in the emergency department is associated with reduced success rates

CJEM ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (03) ◽  
pp. 169-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel E. Blecher ◽  
Ian G. Stiell ◽  
Brian H. Rowe ◽  
Eddy Lang ◽  
Robert J. Brison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Rate Control ◽  
Rhythm Control ◽  
Electrical Cardioversion ◽  
Ventricular Rate ◽  
Recent Onset ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Onset Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Control Medication

ABSTRACTObjective:It is believed that when patients present to the emergency department (ED) with recent-onset atrial fibrillation or flutter (RAFF), controlling the ventricular rate before cardioversion improves the success rate. We evaluated the influence of rate control medication and other variables on the success of cardioversion.Methods:This secondary analysis of a medical records review comprised 1,068 patients with RAFF who presented to eight Canadian EDs over 12 months. Univariate analysis was performed to find associations between predictors of conversion to sinus rhythm including use of rate control, rhythm control, and other variables. Predictive variables were incorporated into the multivariate model to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) associated with successful cardioversion.Results:A total of 634 patients underwent attempted cardioversion: 428 electrical, 354 chemical, and 148 both. Adjusted ORs for factors associated with successful electrical cardioversion were use of rate control medication, 0.39 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21-0.74); rhythm control medication, 0.28 (95% CI 0.15-0.53); and CHADS2score > 0, 0.43 (95% CI 0.15-0.83). ORs for factors associated with successful chemical cardioversion were use of rate control medication, 1.29 (95% CI 0.82-2.03); female sex, 2.37 (95% CI 1.50-3.72); and use of procainamide, 2.32 (95% CI 1.43-3.74).Conclusion:We demonstrated reduced successful electrical cardioversion of RAFF when patients were pretreated with either rate or rhythm control medication. Although rate control medication was not associated with increased success of chemical cardioversion, use of procainamide was. Slowing the ventricular rate prior to cardioversion should be avoided.

Treatment of Acute Atrial Fibrillation: Ventricular Rate Control and Restoration of Sinus Rhythm

2000 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-95
Author(s):  
Ht Fung ◽  
Cw Kam
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Cardiac Output ◽  
General Population ◽  
Sinus Rhythm ◽  
Rate Control ◽  
Electrical Cardioversion ◽  
Ventricular Rate ◽  
The Past ◽  
Definite Risk

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a familiar arrhythmia seen in the emergency department and the general population. In the past it was treated in the majority of cases by controlling the ventricular rate, whether the AF is acute or chronic. However, ventricular rate control alone does not address the underlying problem and the patients still remain in AF, cardiac output and symptoms have not been optimally corrected. There is definite risk of thromboembolism. Restoration of sinus rhythm is the only way of resuming the normal conduction physiology of the heart and correcting these problems This article provides a review of the two major principles of rhythm treatment of acute AF: rate control and restoration of sinus rhythm. Transthoracic electrical cardioversion is the mainstay of treatment in haemodynamically unstable AF, whereas in stable AF, there is a choice between rate control and restoration of sinus rhythm, or they can be carried out in conjunction with each other.

Association of the Ottawa Aggressive Protocol with rapid discharge of emergency department patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation or flutter

CJEM ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 12 (03) ◽  
pp. 181-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian G. Stiell ◽  
Catherine M. Clement ◽  
Jeffrey J. Perry ◽  
Christian Vaillancourt ◽  
Cheryl Symington ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Torsades De Pointes ◽  
Electrical Cardioversion ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Recent Onset ◽  
Lengths Of Stay ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation And Flutter ◽  
Onset Atrial Fibrillation

ABSTRACTObjective:There is no consensus on the optimal management of recent-onset episodes of atrial fibrillation or flutter. The approach to these conditions is particularly relevant in the current era of emergency department (ED) overcrowding. We sought to examine the effectiveness and safety of the Ottawa Aggressive Protocol to perform rapid cardioversion and discharge patients with these arrhythmias.Methods:This cohort study enrolled consecutive patient visits to an adult university hospital ED for recent-onset atrial fibrillation or flutter managed with the Ottawa Aggressive Protocol. The protocol includes intravenous chemical cardioversion, electrical cardioversion if necessary and discharge home from the ED.Results:A total of 660 patient visits were included, 95.2% involving atrial fibrillation and 4.9% involving atrial flutter. The mean age of patients enrolled was 64.5 years. In total, 96.8% were discharged home and, of those, 93.3% were in sinus rhythm. All patients were initially administered intravenous procaïnamide, with a 58.3% conversion rate. A total of 243 patients underwent subsequent electrical cardioversion with a 91.7% success rate. Adverse events occurred in 7.6% of cases: hypotension 6.7%, bradycardia 0.3% and 7-day relapse 8.6%. There were no cases of torsades de pointes, stroke or death. The median lengths of stay in the ED were as follows: 4.9 hours overall, 3.9 hours for those undergoing conversion with procaïnamide and 6.5 hours for those requiring electrical conversion.Conclusion:This is the largest study to date to evaluate the Ottawa Aggressive Protocol, a unique approach to cardioversion for ED patients with recent-onset episodes of atrial fibrillation and flutter. Our data demonstrate that the Ottawa Aggressive Protocol is effective, safe and rapid, and has the potential to significantly reduce hospital admissions and expedite ED care.

scholarly journals Benefits of Rhythm Control and Rate Control in Recent‐onset Atrial Fibrillation: The HERMES ‐ AF Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 1034-1043 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfonso Martín ◽  
Blanca Coll‐Vinent ◽  
Coral Suero ◽  
Amparo Fernández‐Simón ◽  
Juan Sánchez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Rate Control ◽  
Rhythm Control ◽  
Recent Onset ◽  
Onset Atrial Fibrillation

Optimizing Heart Rate and Controlling Symptoms in Atrial Fibrillation

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Pragnesh Parikh ◽  
◽  
KL Venkatachalam ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Rate Control ◽  
Stroke Risk ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Rhythm Control ◽  
Ventricular Rate ◽  
Control Methods ◽  
Novel Approaches

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia noted in clinical practice and its incidence and prevalence are on the rise. The single most important intervention is the evaluation and treatment of stroke risk. Once the risk for stroke has been minimized, controlling the ventricular rate and treating symptoms become relevant. In this review article, we emphasize the importance of confirming and treating the appropriate arrhythmia and correlating symptoms with rhythm changes. Furthermore, we evaluate some of the risk factors for AF that independently result in symptoms, underlining the need to treat these risk factors as part of symptom control. We then discuss existing and novel approaches to rate control in AF and briefly cover rhythm control methods.

scholarly journals Rhythm and rate control of atrial fibrillation in the emergency department – A large community-based observational study

CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 834-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron J. Gilbert ◽  
Paul Angaran ◽  
Zana Mariano ◽  
Theresa Aves ◽  
Paul Dorian
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Rate Control ◽  
Primary Diagnosis ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Rhythm Control ◽  
Chads2 Score ◽  
Control Factors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Canadian City

AbstractObjectiveAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia presentation to the emergency department (ED) and frequently results in admission to the hospital. Although rarely life-threatening and not usually an emergent condition, AF places a large burden on our health-care system. The objective of this study was to describe the practices of ED physicians in the management of AF in a large urban Canadian city.MethodsFrom January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010, patients with a primary diagnosis of AF were identified across 10 EDs in Toronto, Canada (N=2,609). Fifty patients were selected at random from each hospital for a detailed chart review (n=500).ResultsTwo hundred thirty-two patients (46%) received rate control, and 129 (26%) received rhythm control with the remainder (28%) receiving neither therapy. Sixty-seven percent of patients were discharged home. Most patients (79%) were symptomatic on arrival; however, only a minority of these (31%) received rhythm control. Factors that were associated with rhythm control included younger age, duration of palpitations ≤ 48 hours, a lower CHADS2 score, and the absence of left ventricular dysfunction.ConclusionOur data suggest a wide range of practice amongst ED physicians treating patients presenting to the ED with a primary diagnosis of AF. A randomized trial is needed to better understand the optimal management strategy in this patient population and setting.

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