title: [Consensus document for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation in hospital emergency departments].
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent arrhythmia in hospital emergency departments and is a serious disease associated with a twofold increase in morbidity and a high mortality rate. However, the management of AF in this scenario is variable and frequently inadequate. This is probably a consequence of the diverse clinical aspects and therapeutic options to consider in the management of patients with AF. Therefore, implementation of specific, coordinated management strategies by the different care providers involved is needed to improve the quality of care and optimize the use of human and material resources. This document presents the guidelines recommended by the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC) and the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES) for the management of AF in hospital emergency departments. These guidelines are based on published scientific evidence and are applicable to most emergency departments in Spain. Specific management strategies are proposed for the conversion and maintenance of sinus rhythm, heart rate control during AF, prophylaxis for thrombi and emboli, and hospital admission and discharge protocols.
authors.affiliation: Panel de consenso del Grupo de Arritmias de la Sociedad Española de Medicina de Urgencias y Emergencias (SEMES), Spain.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martín
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Merino
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: del Arco
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martínez Alday
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laguna
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arribas
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gargantilla
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tercedor
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hinojosa
authors.forename: Lluís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mont
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016276:Ventricular Function