The articles were grouped into four main categories : decision aids and outcome predictors , electrical cardioversion-based protocol s , antiarrhythmic-based protocol s , and general management protocol s. Conclusion This systematic review is the first study to our knowledge to evaluate the optimal management of symptomatic AF/AFLin  the ED with a direct impact on ED disposition .
There are several viable management strategies that can result in safe discharge from the ED in the right patient population , and decision aids can be utilized to guide selection of appropriate patients for discharge
Introduction Management of  atrial fibrillation ( AF ) and atrial flutter ( AFL )  in the emergency department ( ED ) varies greatly , and there are currently no United States guidelines to guide management with regard to patient disposition after ED treatment .
The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the literature for decision aids to guide disposition of patients with AF/AFLin the ED , and assess potential outcomes associated with different management strategies in the ED .
Impact of a practice guideline for patients with atrial fibrillation on medical resource utilization and costs.
Health care re source utilization is high for patients presenting with acute atrial fibrillation ( AF ) . The potential for treatment algorithms to safely reduce re source consumption in this setting has not been prospect ively evaluated . We design ed and implemented a practice guideline for the management of patients presenting to the emergency department ( ED ) with the primary diagnosis of AF , with emphasis on appropriate cardioversion , use of oral rate-controlling medications , and expedited referral to an outpatient AF clinic . We prospect ively collected clinical and re source utilization data on all such patients for 14 months before and after institution of the guideline . Institution of the guideline was associated with a decreased rate of hospital admission ( from 74 % to 38 % ) , with no differences in ED return visits or hospital readmission within 30 days . No strokes or deaths were observed . This large decrease in re source utilization during the intervention phase of the study translated to an average decrease in 30-day total direct health care costs of approximately $ 1,400 US dollars per patient . Our clinical and cost outcomes were minimally affected after statistical adjustment for baseline differences between study groups . We conclude that the implementation of our practice guideline was feasible , safe , and effective . Widespread adoption of such practice s may have large financial implication s for the health care system
The articles were grouped into four main categories : decision aids and outcome predictors , electrical cardioversion-based protocol s , antiarrhythmic-based protocol s , and general management protocol s. Conclusion This systematic review is the first study to our knowledge to evaluate the optimal management of symptomatic AF/AFLin  the ED with a direct impact on ED disposition .
There are several viable management strategies that can result in safe discharge from the ED in the right patient population , and decision aids can be utilized to guide selection of appropriate patients for discharge
Introduction Management of  atrial fibrillation ( AF ) and atrial flutter ( AFL )  in the emergency department ( ED ) varies greatly , and there are currently no United States guidelines to guide management with regard to patient disposition after ED treatment .
The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the literature for decision aids to guide disposition of patients with AF/AFLin the ED , and assess potential outcomes associated with different management strategies in the ED .