title: Acute management of atrial fibrillation: from emergency department to cardiac care unit.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common tachyarrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. One-third of hospitalizations in the United States are attributed to AF, with increasing rates in the past decade. Significant morbidity and mortality, including ∼15% to 20% of all ischemic strokes, result from AF. AF is associated with many causes and comorbidities. Hallmarks of acute AF management are accurate diagnosis, clinical stabilization, symptom relief through rate or rhythm control, thromboembolic stroke risk modification, and treatment of underlying causes. Meticulous and individualized acute evaluation based on these goals facilitates successful transition to long-term collaborative optimization of outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center, N3W77, 22 South Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: Vincent Y
authors.initials: VY
authors.lastname: See
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D004554:Electric Countershock; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants