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). CONCLUSION: According to the study results, rhythm at the time of ED discharge is a poor indicator of the short-term evolution of AF.
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). CONCLUSION: According to the study results, rhythm at the time of ED discharge is a poor indicator of the short-term evolution of AF.
Authors: Isaac O Oyediran; Sainikitha Prattipati; Francis M Sakita; Godfrey L Kweka; Tumsifu G Tarimo; Timothy Peterson; Zak Loring; Alexander T Limkakeng; Gerald S Bloomfield; Julian T Hertz Journal: Afr J Emerg Med Date: 2021-10-14