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 an emergency department-initiated clinical protocol for the evaluation and treatment of atrial fibrillation.
OBJECTIVE Published data supporting the best practice for patients with atrial fibrillation ( AF ) presenting to the emergency department ( ED ) are limited . Our objective was to evaluate the impact of an AF clinical protocol initiated in the ED with early follow-up in a specialty AF outpatient clinic . METHODS This was a single-center prospect i ve study of all consented patients with AF who were discharged from the ED through the AF clinical pathway and were then  seen in the AF clinic . The primary endpoint was the rate of 90-day hospitalization/ED visits . Secondary endpoints included adherence to established AF anticoagulation guidelines , rate of thromboembolic events , quality of life , and patient satisfaction . RESULTS One hundred consecutive patients were enrolled in the study . Within 90 days , 15 had ED visits and 4 were hospitalized , whereas none developed thromboembolic complications . There were significant increases in the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy of life survey quality of life ( 67.3 ± 24.8 vs. 89.2 ± 15.7 ; P < 0.001 ) and patient satisfaction ( 66.4 ± 25.3 vs. 77.9 ± 22.8 ; P < 0.001 ) scores from baseline to 90 days . Of the 29 patients with CHADS2 score ≥2 , 20 ( 69 % ) were discharged from the AF clinic with oral anticoagulation . CONCLUSIONS We describe a novel approach to the care of patients with AF presenting to the ED . Usage of the ED-initiated AF clinical pathway with early follow-up in a protocol -driven AF clinic was associated with low readmission rates , no thromboembolic complications at 90 days , improved quality of life , and high patient satisfaction
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 .