Implications for nursing care of patients with atrial fibrillation: lessons learned from the AFFIRM and RACE studies.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac dysrhythmia treated in North America and Europe. As such, it is one of the current epidemics in cardiovascular disease. Findings from the AFFIRM (Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up: Investigation of Rhythm Management) and RACE (RAte Control versus Electrical cardioversion for persistent atrial fibrillation) clinical trials are presented and the current evidence for the management of atrial fibrillation using anticoagulation, rate-control, and rhythm-control strategies is outlined. Implications for nurses are discussed including physiologic and psychosocial interventions.
Kellen
Joyce C
JC
Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. kellenj@ucalgary.ca
D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000451:nursing; D003663:Decision Trees; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000451:nursing; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents