title: Atrial fibrillation in emergency department: prevalence of sinus rhythm 1 week after discharge.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Current guidelines do not provide definitive indications about the treatment in emergency departments (ED) of patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AF).
  
  
  METHODS
  A multicentre observational study involving four general hospitals of the same metropolitan area was conducted. All consecutive adult patients admitted to the ED with recent symptoms of AF (<48 h duration) and discharged home were considered. Patients who underwent ED early cardioversion were enrolled in group A. Patients managed with ventricular rate control were enrolled in group B.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On the 24 h Holter recordings at 1-week follow-up, stable sinus rhythm was detected in 46/58 (79.3%; 95% CI 68.9 to 89.7) patients in group A and 8/33 (24.2%; 95% CI 9.6 to 38.9) patients in group B (p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the study results, rhythm at the time of ED discharge is a poor indicator of the short-term evolution of AF.
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine ‘Luigi Sacco’ Hospital, Milano, Italy.
authors: Camilla
authors: C
authors: Fundarò
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Galli
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Paglia
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Colombo
authors: Angelo
authors: A
authors: Rovellini
authors: Livio
authors: L
authors: Colombo
authors: Valter
authors: V
authors: Monzani
authors: Daniele
authors: D
authors: Coen
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Guzzetti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D004554:Electric Countershock; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents