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Stiell IG, Taljaard M, Beanlands R, Johnson C, Golian M, Green M, Kwok E, Brown E, Nemnom MJ, Eagles D. RAFF-5 Study to Improve the Quality and Safety of Care for Patients Seen in the Emergency Department With Acute Atrial Fibrillation and Flutter. Can J Cardiol 2024; 40:1554-1562. [PMID: 38331027 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2024.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We sought to improve the immediate and subsequent care of emergency department (ED) patients with acute atrial fibrillation (AF) and flutter (AFL) by implementing the principles of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians AF/AFL Best Practices Checklist. METHODS This cohort study included 3 periods: before (7 months), intervention introduction (1 month), and after (7 months), and was conducted at a major academic centre. We included patients who presented with an episode of acute AF or AFL and used multiple strategies to support ED adoption of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians checklist. We developed new cardiology rapid-access follow-up processes. The main outcomes were unsafe and suboptimal treatments in the ED. RESULTS We included 1108 patient visits, with 559 in the before and 549 in the after period. In a comparison of the periods, there was an increase in use of chemical cardioversion (20.6% vs 25.0%; absolute difference [AD], 4.4%) and in electrical cardioversion (39.2% vs 51.2%; AD, 12.0%). More patients were discharged with sinus rhythm restored (66.9% vs 75.0%; AD, 8.1%). The proportion seen in a follow-up cardiology clinic increased from 24.2% to 39.9% (AD, 15.7%) and the mean time until seen decreased substantially (103.3 vs 49.0 days; AD, -54.3 days). There were very few unsafe cases (0.4% vs 0.7%) and, although there was an increase in suboptimal care (19.5% vs 23.1%), overall patient outcomes were excellent. CONCLUSIONS We successfully improved the care for ED patients with acute AF/AFL and achieved more frequent and more rapid cardiology follow-up. Although cases of unsafe management were uncommon and patient outcomes were excellent, there are opportunities for physicians to improve their care of acute AF/AFL patients. CLINICALTRIALS GOV IDENTIFIER NCT05468281.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian G Stiell
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Monica Taljaard
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rob Beanlands
- Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher Johnson
- Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mehrdad Golian
- Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Martin Green
- Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Edmund Kwok
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Erica Brown
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Debra Eagles
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Kukendrarajah K, Ahmad M, Carrington M, Ioannou A, Taylor J, Razvi Y, Papageorgiou N, Mead GE, Nevis IF, D'Ascenzo F, Wilton SB, Lambiase PD, Morillo CA, Kwong JS, Providencia R. External electrical and pharmacological cardioversion for atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter or atrial tachycardias: a network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2024; 6:CD013255. [PMID: 38828867 PMCID: PMC11145740 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013255.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent sustained arrhythmia. Cardioversion is a rhythm control strategy to restore normal/sinus rhythm, and can be achieved through drugs (pharmacological) or a synchronised electric shock (electrical cardioversion). OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and safety of pharmacological and electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial flutter and atrial tachycardias. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Science (CPCI-S) and three trials registers (ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO ICTRP and ISRCTN) on 14 February 2023. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) at the individual patient level. Patient populations were aged ≥ 18 years with AF of any type and duration, atrial flutter or other sustained related atrial arrhythmias, not occurring as a result of reversible causes. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard Cochrane methodology to collect data and performed a network meta-analysis using the standard frequentist graph-theoretical approach using the netmeta package in R. We used GRADE to assess the quality of the evidence which we presented in our summary of findings with a judgement on certainty. We calculated differences using risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) as well as ranking treatments using a P value. We assessed clinical and statistical heterogeneity and split the networks for the primary outcome and acute procedural success, due to concerns about violating the transitivity assumption. MAIN RESULTS We included 112 RCTs (139 records), from which we pooled data from 15,968 patients. The average age ranged from 47 to 72 years and the proportion of male patients ranged from 38% to 92%. Seventy-nine trials were considered to be at high risk of bias for at least one domain, 32 had no high risk of bias domains, but had at least one domain classified as uncertain risk, and one study was considered at low risk for all domains. For paroxysmal AF (35 trials), when compared to placebo, anteroapical (AA)/anteroposterior (AP) biphasic truncated exponential waveform (BTE) cardioversion (RR: 2.42; 95% CI 1.65 to 3.56), quinidine (RR: 2.23; 95% CI 1.49 to 3.34), ibutilide (RR: 2.00; 95% CI 1.28 to 3.12), propafenone (RR: 1.98; 95% CI 1.67 to 2.34), amiodarone (RR: 1.69; 95% CI 1.42 to 2.02), sotalol (RR: 1.58; 95% CI 1.08 to 2.31) and procainamide (RR: 1.49; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.97) likely result in a large increase in maintenance of sinus rhythm until hospital discharge or end of study follow-up (certainty of evidence: moderate). The effect size was larger for AA/AP incremental and was progressively smaller for the subsequent interventions. Despite low certainty of evidence, antazoline may result in a large increase (RR: 28.60; 95% CI 1.77 to 461.30) in this outcome. Similarly, low-certainty evidence suggests a large increase in this outcome for flecainide (RR: 2.17; 95% CI 1.68 to 2.79), vernakalant (RR: 2.13; 95% CI 1.52 to 2.99), and magnesium (RR: 1.73; 95% CI 0.79 to 3.79). For persistent AF (26 trials), one network was created for electrical cardioversion and showed that, when compared to AP BTE incremental energy with patches, AP BTE maximum energy with patches (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.55) likely results in a large increase, and active compression AP BTE incremental energy with patches (RR: 1.14, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.131) likely results in an increase in maintenance of sinus rhythm at hospital discharge or end of study follow-up (certainty of evidence: high). Use of AP BTE incremental with paddles (RR: 1.03, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.09; certainty of evidence: low) may lead to a slight increase, and AP MDS Incremental paddles (RR: 0.95, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.05; certainty of evidence: low) may lead to a slight decrease in efficacy. On the other hand, AP MDS incremental energy using patches (RR: 0.78, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.87), AA RBW incremental energy with patches (RR: 0.76, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.88), AP RBW incremental energy with patches (RR: 0.76, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.86), AA MDS incremental energy with patches (RR: 0.76, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.86) and AA MDS incremental energy with paddles (RR: 0.68, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.83) probably result in a decrease in this outcome when compared to AP BTE incremental energy with patches (certainty of evidence: moderate). The network for pharmacological cardioversion showed that bepridil (RR: 2.29, 95% CI 1.26 to 4.17) and quindine (RR: 1.53, (95% CI 1.01 to 2.32) probably result in a large increase in maintenance of sinus rhythm at hospital discharge or end of study follow-up when compared to amiodarone (certainty of evidence: moderate). Dofetilide (RR: 0.79, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.44), sotalol (RR: 0.89, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.18), propafenone (RR: 0.79, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.25) and pilsicainide (RR: 0.39, 95% CI 0.02 to 7.01) may result in a reduction in this outcome when compared to amiodarone, but the certainty of evidence is low. For atrial flutter (14 trials), a network could be created only for antiarrhythmic drugs. Using placebo as the common comparator, ibutilide (RR: 21.45, 95% CI 4.41 to 104.37), propafenone (RR: 7.15, 95% CI 1.27 to 40.10), dofetilide (RR: 6.43, 95% CI 1.38 to 29.91), and sotalol (RR: 6.39, 95% CI 1.03 to 39.78) probably result in a large increase in the maintenance of sinus rhythm at hospital discharge or end of study follow-up (certainty of evidence: moderate), and procainamide (RR: 4.29, 95% CI 0.63 to 29.03), flecainide (RR 3.57, 95% CI 0.24 to 52.30) and vernakalant (RR: 1.18, 95% CI 0.05 to 27.37) may result in a large increase in maintenance of sinus rhythm at hospital discharge or end of study follow-up (certainty of evidence: low). All tested electrical cardioversion strategies for atrial flutter had very high efficacy (97.9% to 100%). The rate of mortality (14 deaths) and stroke or systemic embolism (3 events) at 30 days was extremely low. Data on quality of life were scarce and of uncertain clinical significance. No information was available regarding heart failure readmissions. Data on duration of hospitalisation was scarce, of low quality, and could not be pooled. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Despite the low quality of evidence, this systematic review provides important information on electrical and pharmacological strategies to help patients and physicians deal with AF and atrial flutter. In the assessment of the patient comorbidity profile, antiarrhythmic drug onset of action and side effect profile versus the need for a physician with experience in sedation, or anaesthetics support for electrical cardioversion are key aspects when choosing the cardioversion method.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mahmood Ahmad
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Free Hospital, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Adam Ioannou
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Julie Taylor
- Institute of Health Informatics Research, University College London, London, UK
| | - Yousuf Razvi
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Gillian E Mead
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Immaculate F Nevis
- Health Economics and Outcomes Research, ICON plc, Blue Bell, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Fabrizio D'Ascenzo
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Stephen B Wilton
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Pier D Lambiase
- Centre for Cardiology in the Young, The Heart Hospital, University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Carlos A Morillo
- Department of Cardiac Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, Canada
| | - Joey Sw Kwong
- Global Health Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing Science, St. Luke's International University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rui Providencia
- Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
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Stiell IG, Eagles D, Nemnom MJ, Brown E, Taljaard M, Archambault PM, Birnie D, Borgundvaag B, Clark G, Davis P, Godin D, Hohl C, Mathieu B, McRae AD, Mercier E, Morris J, Parkash R, Perry JJ, Rowe BH, Thiruganasambandamoorthy V, Scheuermeyer F, Sivilotti MLA, Vadeboncoeur A. Adverse Events Associated With Electrical Cardioversion in Patients With Acute Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter. Can J Cardiol 2021; 37:1775-1782. [PMID: 34474123 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2021.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We sought to evaluate safety of electrical cardioversion (ECV) for patients with acute atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFL) in the emergency department (ED). METHODS This was an analysis of data from 4 multicentre AF/AFL studies conducted from 2008 to 2019 at 23 large EDs. We included adult patients who received attempts at ECV and who had presented acutely after symptom onset. Staff manually reviewed study and clinical records to abstract data. RESULTS We evaluated 1736 ECV cases with a mean age of 60.1 years and 67.1% male. The overall success of ECV was 90.2% (95% confidence interval 88.7%-91.6%), with 4.9% of patients admitted. ED physicians performed the ECV in 95.2% and provided sedation in 96.5%; 13.9% (12.3%-15.7%) of cases experienced important adverse events that required treatment, and 0.4% were classified as life threatening. Another 5.6% had adverse events that did not require treatment. Logistic regression found that the RAFF-3 study cohort (odds ratio [OR] 2.0), age ≥ 85 years (OR 2.1), coronary artery disease (OR 1.5), midazolam (OR 1.9), and fentanyl (OR 1.5) were associated with important adverse events. CONCLUSIONS This large evaluation of the safety of ECV for acute AF/AFL in the ED found that while serious adverse events were rare, there were a concerning number of events following sedation that required intervention. Physicians should be aware that older age, coronary artery disease, and fentanyl are associated with higher risks of important adverse events. This study provides more information for shared decision making discussions with patients when choosing between drug-shock and shock-only cardioversion strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian G Stiell
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario; Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Debra Eagles
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario; Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marie-Joe Nemnom
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Erica Brown
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Monica Taljaard
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Patrick M Archambault
- Département de Médecine Familiale et de Médicine d'Urgence, Centre de Recherche du Centre Intégré de Santé et de Services Sociaux de Chaudière-Appalaches, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada; Département d'Anesthésiologie et de Soins Intensifs, Centre de Recherche du Centre Intégré de Santé et de Services Sociaux de Chaudière-Appalaches, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - David Birnie
- Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bjug Borgundvaag
- Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Toronto, Schwartz/Reisman Emergency Medicine Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gregory Clark
- Department of Emergency Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Philip Davis
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | | | - Corinne Hohl
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Bernard Mathieu
- Département de Médecine de Famille et de Médecine d'Urgence, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Andrew D McRae
- Department of Emergency Medicine, and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Eric Mercier
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada; Département de Médecine Familiale et de Médecine d'Urgence, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Judy Morris
- Département de Médecine de Famille et de Médecine d'Urgence, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ratika Parkash
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Jeffrey J Perry
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario; Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brian H Rowe
- Department of Emergency Medicine, and School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Frank Scheuermeyer
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marco L A Sivilotti
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alain Vadeboncoeur
- Institut de Cardiologie de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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RAFF-3 Trial: A Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomized Trial to Improve Care of Acute Atrial Fibrillation and Flutter in the Emergency Department. Can J Cardiol 2021; 37:1569-1577. [PMID: 34217808 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2021.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We sought to improve care of patients with acute atrial fibrillation (AF) and flutter (AFL) in the emergency department (ED) by implementing the CAEP AAFF Best Practice Checklist. METHODS We conducted a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial at 11 large community and academic hospital EDs, in five Canadian provinces and enrolled consecutive AF/AFL patients. The study intervention was the introduction of the CAEP Checklist using a knowledge translation-implementation approach that included behavior change techniques and organization/system level strategies. The primary outcome was length of stay in ED and secondary outcomes were discharge home, use of rhythm control, adverse events, and 30-day status. Analysis used mixed effects regression adjusting for covariates. RESULTS Patient visits in the control (N=314) and intervention (N=404) periods were similar with mean age 62.9, 54% male, 71% onset <12 hours, and 86% atrial fibrillation, 14% atrial flutter. We observed a reduction in length of stay of 20.9% (95% CI 5.5 to 33.8%, P=0.01), an increase in use of rhythm control (adjusted odds ratio (OR 4.5, 1.8-11.6; P=0.002), and decrease in use of rate control medications (OR 0.5, 0.2 to 0.9; P=0.02). There was no change in adverse events and no strokes or deaths by 30 days. CONCLUSIONS The RAFF-3 Trial led to optimized care of AF/AFL patients with decreased ED lengths of stay, increased ED rhythm control by drug or electricity, and no increase in adverse events. Early cardioversion allows AF/AFL patients to quickly resume normal activities. CLINICALTRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIER NCT03627143.
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Wong BM, Perry JJ, Cheng W, Zheng B, Guo K, Taljaard M, Skanes AC, Stiell IG. Thromboembolic events following cardioversion of acute atrial fibrillation and flutter: a systematic review and meta-analysis. CAN J EMERG MED 2021; 23:500-511. [PMID: 33715143 DOI: 10.1007/s43678-021-00103-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have presented concerning data on the safety of cardioversion for acute atrial fibrillation and flutter. We conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of oral anticoagulation use on thromboembolic events post-cardioversion of low-risk acute atrial fibrillation and flutter patients of < 48 h in duration. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane from inception through February 6, 2020 for studies reporting thromboembolic events post-cardioversion of acute atrial fibrillation and flutter. Main outcome was thromboembolic events within 30 days post-cardioversion. Primary analysis compared thromboembolic events based on oral anticoagulation use versus no oral anticoagulation use. Secondary analysis was based on baseline thromboembolic risk. We performed meta-analyses where 2 or more studies were available, by applying the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model. Risk of bias was assessed with the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool. RESULTS Of 717 titles screened, 20 studies met inclusion criteria. Primary analysis of seven studies with low risk of bias demonstrated insufficient evidence regarding the risk of thromboembolic events associated with oral anticoagulation use (RR = 0.82 where RR < 1 suggests decreased risk with oral anticoagulation use; 95% CI 0.27 to 2.47; I2 = 0%). Secondary analysis of 13 studies revealed increased risk of thromboembolic events with high baseline thromboembolic risk (RR = 2.25 where RR > 1 indicates increased risk with higher CHADS2 or CHA2DS2-VASc scores; 95% CI 1.25 to 4.04; I2 = 0%). CONCLUSION Primary analysis revealed insufficient evidence regarding the effect of oral anticoagulation use on thromboembolic events post-cardioversion of low-risk acute atrial fibrillation and flutter, though the event rate is low in contemporary practice. Our findings can better inform patient-centered decision-making when considering 4-week oral anticoagulation use for acute atrial fibrillation and flutter patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenton M Wong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jeffrey J Perry
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Wei Cheng
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Bo Zheng
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Kevin Guo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Monica Taljaard
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Allan C Skanes
- Division of Cardiology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ian G Stiell
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, The Ottawa Hospital, 1053 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1Y 4E9, Canada.
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Stiell IG, Sivilotti MLA, Taljaard M, Birnie D, Vadeboncoeur A, Hohl CM, McRae AD, Morris J, Mercier E, Macle L, Brison RJ, Thiruganasambandamoorthy V, Rowe BH, Borgundvaag B, Clement CM, Brinkhurst J, Brown E, Nemnom MJ, Wells GA, Perry JJ. A randomized, controlled comparison of electrical versus pharmacological cardioversion for emergency department patients with acute atrial flutter. CAN J EMERG MED 2021; 23:314-324. [PMID: 33959925 DOI: 10.1007/s43678-020-00067-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute atrial flutter has one-tenth the prevalence of acute atrial fibrillation in the emergency department (ED) but shares many management strategies. Our aim was to compare conversion from acute atrial flutter to sinus rhythm between pharmacological cardioversion followed by electrical cardioversion (Drug-Shock), and electrical cardioversion alone (Shock-Only). METHODS We conducted a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled comparison of attempted pharmacological cardioversion with IV procainamide followed by electrical cardioversion if necessary, and placebo infusion followed by electrical cardioversion. We enrolled stable patients with a primary diagnosis of acute acute atrial flutter at 11 academic EDs. The primary outcome was conversion to normal sinus rhythm. FINDINGS From July 2013 to October 2018, we enrolled 76 patients, and none were lost to follow-up. Comparing the Drug-Shock to the Shock-Only group, conversion to sinus rhythm occurred in 33 (100%) versus 40 (93%) (absolute difference 7.0%; 95% CI - 0.6 to 14.6; P = 0.25). Median time to conversion from start of infusion in the Drug-Shock group was 24 min (IQR 21-82) but only 9 (27%) cases were converted with IV procainamide. Patients in both groups had similar outcomes at 14 days; there were no strokes or deaths. INTERPRETATION This trial found that the Drug-Shock strategy is potentially superior but that either approach to immediate rhythm control in the ED for patients with acute acute atrial flutter is highly effective, rapid, and safe in restoring sinus rhythm and allowing patients to go home and return to normal activities. Unlike the case of atrial fibrillation, we found that IV procainamide alone was infrequently effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian G Stiell
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. .,Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | | | - Monica Taljaard
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - David Birnie
- Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Alain Vadeboncoeur
- Institut de Cardiologie de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Corinne M Hohl
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Andrew D McRae
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Judy Morris
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Eric Mercier
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Laurent Macle
- Institut de Cardiologie de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Robert J Brison
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Venkatesh Thiruganasambandamoorthy
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Brian H Rowe
- Department of Emergency Medicine and School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Bjug Borgundvaag
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Schwartz/Reisman Emergency Medicine Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Catherine M Clement
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer Brinkhurst
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Erica Brown
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Marie-Joe Nemnom
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - George A Wells
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jeffrey J Perry
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Decision aid for early identification of acute underlying illness in emergency department patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter. CAN J EMERG MED 2020; 22:301-308. [PMID: 31856926 DOI: 10.1017/cem.2019.454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emergency department (ED) patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter (AFF) with underlying occult condition such as sepsis or heart failure, and who are managed with rate or rhythm control, have poor prognoses. Such conditions may not be easy to identify early in the ED evaluation when critical treatment decisions are made. We sought to develop a simple decision aid to quickly identify undifferentiated ED AFF patients who are at high risk of acute underlying illness. METHODS We collected consecutive ED patients with electrocardiogram-proven AFF over a 1-year period and performed a chart review to ascertain demographics, comorbidities, and investigations. The primary outcome was having an acute underlying illness according to prespecified criteria. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with the primary outcome, and developed criteria to identify those with an underlying illness at presentation. RESULTS Of 1,083 consecutive undifferentiated ED AFF patients, 400 (36.9%) had an acute underlying illness; they were older with more comorbidities. Modeling demonstrated that three predictors (ambulance arrival; chief complaint of chest pain, dyspnea, or weakness; CHA2DS2-VASc score greater than 2) identified 93% of patients with acute underlying illness (95% confidence interval [CI], 91-96%) with 54% (95% CI, 50-58%) specificity. The decision aid missed 28 patients; (7.0%) simple blood tests and chest radiography identified all within an hour of presentation. CONCLUSIONS In ED patients with undifferentiated AFF, this simple predictive model rapidly differentiates patients at risk of acute underlying illness, who will likely merit investigations before AFF-specific therapy.
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Stiell IG, Sivilotti MLA, Taljaard M, Birnie D, Vadeboncoeur A, Hohl CM, McRae AD, Rowe BH, Brison RJ, Thiruganasambandamoorthy V, Macle L, Borgundvaag B, Morris J, Mercier E, Clement CM, Brinkhurst J, Sheehan C, Brown E, Nemnom MJ, Wells GA, Perry JJ. Electrical versus pharmacological cardioversion for emergency department patients with acute atrial fibrillation (RAFF2): a partial factorial randomised trial. Lancet 2020; 395:339-349. [PMID: 32007169 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(19)32994-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute atrial fibrillation is the most common arrythmia treated in the emergency department. Our primary aim was to compare conversion to sinus rhythm between pharmacological cardioversion followed by electrical cardioversion (drug-shock), and electrical cardioversion alone (shock-only). Our secondary aim was to compare the effectiveness of two pad positions for electrical cardioversion. METHODS We did a partial factorial trial of two protocols for patients with acute atrial fibrillation at 11 academic hospital emergency departments in Canada. We enrolled adult patients with acute atrial fibrillation. Protocol 1 was a randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled comparison of attempted pharmacological cardioversion with intravenous procainamide (15 mg/kg over 30 min) followed by electrical cardioversion if necessary (up to three shocks, each of ≥200 J), and placebo infusion followed by electrical cardioversion. For patients having electrical cardioversion, we used Protocol 2, a randomised, open-label, nested comparison of anteroposterior versus anterolateral pad positions. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1, stratified by study site) for Protocol 1 by on-site research personnel using an online electronic data capture system. Randomisation for Protocol 2 occurred 30 min after drug infusion for patients who had not converted and was stratified by site and Protocol 1 allocation. Patients and all research and emergency department staff were masked to treatment allocation for Protocol 1. The primary outcome was conversion to normal sinus rhythm for at least 30 min at any time after randomisation and up to a point immediately after three shocks. Protocol 1 was analysed by intention to treat and Protocol 2 excluded patients who did not receive electrical cardioversion. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01891058. FINDINGS Between July 18, 2013, and Oct 17, 2018, we enrolled 396 patients, and none were lost to follow-up. In the drug-shock group (n=204), conversion to sinus rhythm occurred in 196 (96%) patients and in the shock-only group (n=192), conversion occurred in 176 (92%) patients (absolute difference 4%; 95% CI 0-9; p=0·07). The proportion of patients discharged home was 97% (n=198) versus 95% (n=183; p=0·60). 106 (52%) patients in the drug-shock group converted after drug infusion only. No patients had serious adverse events in follow-up. The different pad positions in Protocol 2 (n=244), had similar conversions to sinus rhythm (119 [94%] of 127 in anterolateral group vs 108 [92%] of 117 in anteroposterior group; p=0·68). INTERPRETATION Both the drug-shock and shock-only strategies were highly effective, rapid, and safe in restoring sinus rhythm for patients in the emergency department with acute atrial fibrillation, avoiding the need for return to hospital. The drug infusion worked for about half of patients and avoided the resource intensive procedural sedation required for electrical cardioversion. We also found no significant difference between the anterolateral and anteroposterior pad positions for electrical cardioversion. Immediate rhythm control for patients in the emergency department with acute atrial fibrillation leads to excellent outcomes. FUNDING Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian G Stiell
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | | | - Monica Taljaard
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - David Birnie
- Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Alain Vadeboncoeur
- Institut de Cardiologie de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Corinne M Hohl
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Andrew D McRae
- Department of Emergency Medicine, and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Brian H Rowe
- Department of Emergency Medicine, and School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Robert J Brison
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | | | - Laurent Macle
- Institut de Cardiologie de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Bjug Borgundvaag
- Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Toronto, Schwartz/Reisman Emergency Medicine Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Judy Morris
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Eric Mercier
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Catherine M Clement
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer Brinkhurst
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Connor Sheehan
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Erica Brown
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Marie-Joe Nemnom
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - George A Wells
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jeffrey J Perry
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Providencia R, Chew D, Taylor J, Kukendra-Rajah K, Papageorgiou N, Ioannou A, Mead GE, Nevis IIF, Wilton SB, Lambiase P, Morillo CA. External electrical and pharmacological cardioversion for atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter or atrial tachycardias: a network meta-analysis. Hippokratia 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Providencia
- St Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust; Barts Heart Centre; London UK
| | - Derek Chew
- University of Calgary; Libin Cardiovascular Institute; Calgary Canada
| | - Julie Taylor
- University College London; Institute of Health Informatics Research; London UK
| | | | | | - Adam Ioannou
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust; London UK
| | - Gillian E Mead
- University of Edinburgh; Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences; Room S1642, Royal Infirmary Little France Crescent Edinburgh UK EH16 4SA
| | - Immaculate IF Nevis
- London Health Sciences; Psychiatry; 62 Fitzwilliam Blvd London ON Canada N6H 5H6
| | - Stephen B Wilton
- University of Calgary; Libin Cardiovascular Institute; Calgary Canada
| | - Pier Lambiase
- The Heart Hospital, University College London Hospitals; Centre for Cardiology in the Young; 16-18 Westmoreland Street, London UK W1G 8PH
| | - Carlos A Morillo
- Foothills Medical Centre; Department of Cardiac Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine; C849 1403 29th Street NW Calgary Alberta Canada T2N 2T9
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Brieger D, Amerena J, Attia J, Bajorek B, Chan KH, Connell C, Freedman B, Ferguson C, Hall T, Haqqani H, Hendriks J, Hespe C, Hung J, Kalman JM, Sanders P, Worthington J, Yan TD, Zwar N. National Heart Foundation of Australia and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand: Australian Clinical Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation 2018. Heart Lung Circ 2019; 27:1209-1266. [PMID: 30077228 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlc.2018.06.1043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 205] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - David Brieger
- Department of Cardiology, Concord Hospital, Sydney, Australia; University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - John Amerena
- Geelong Cardiology Research Unit, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, Australia
| | - John Attia
- University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Beata Bajorek
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney & Department of Pharmacy, Royal North Shore Hospital, Australia
| | - Kim H Chan
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Cia Connell
- The National Heart Foundation of Australia, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ben Freedman
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Heart Research Institute, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Caleb Ferguson
- Western Sydney University, Western Sydney Local Health District, Blacktown Clinical and Research School, Blacktown Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Haris Haqqani
- University of Queensland, Department of Cardiology, Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jeroen Hendriks
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia; Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Charlotte Hespe
- General Practice and Primary Care Research, School of Medicine, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Joseph Hung
- Medical School, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Unit, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Jonathan M Kalman
- University of Melbourne, Director of Heart Rhythm Services, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Prashanthan Sanders
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders (CHRD), South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
| | - John Worthington
- RPA Comprehensive Stroke Service, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Nicholas Zwar
- Graduate Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
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11
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Chen YL, Lin YS, Wang HT, Liu WH, Chen HC, Chen MC. Clinical outcomes of solitary atrial flutter patients using anticoagulation therapy: a national cohort study. Europace 2019; 21:313-321. [PMID: 30107472 PMCID: PMC6365809 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euy181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Anticoagulation therapy is indicated to prevent stroke in atrial flutter (AFL) and atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. However, the outcomes of solitary AFL patients may differ from those with AFL who develop AF during follow-up. This study aimed to investigate the differences in clinical outcomes: (i) among patients with solitary AFL, AF, and AFL developing AF thereafter and (ii) between solitary AFL patients with vs. without anticoagulation therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS This nationwide cohort study enrolled patients with solitary AFL, solitary AF, and AFL developing AF from a 12 years National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. There were 230 367 patients without anticoagulation therapy in the solitary AF cohort, 8064 in the solitary AFL cohort, and 4495 in the AFL with AF cohort. The AFL with AF and solitary AF cohorts had higher incidences of ischaemic stroke and major bleeding than the solitary AFL cohort. Solitary AFL patients with anticoagulation therapy had a lower ischaemic stroke rate than those without (P < 0.05) at the level of a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥3. Solitary AFL patients with anticoagulation therapy had a higher intracranial haemorrhage rate than those without (P < 0.05) at the level of a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≤3. Net clinical outcomes including ischaemic stroke, systemic embolization, and major bleeding favoured anticoagulation use in solitary AFL patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥4. CONCLUSION Solitary AFL patients without anticoagulation therapy had better clinical outcomes than AFL patients developing AF in this study. Anticoagulation therapy may offer the best net clinical outcome for solitary AFL patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Lung Chen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123, Ta Pei Road, Niao Sung District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Sheng Lin
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ting Wang
- Emergency Department, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Hao Liu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123, Ta Pei Road, Niao Sung District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Huang-Chung Chen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123, Ta Pei Road, Niao Sung District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Mien-Cheng Chen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123, Ta Pei Road, Niao Sung District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
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Lip GY, Banerjee A, Boriani G, Chiang CE, Fargo R, Freedman B, Lane DA, Ruff CT, Turakhia M, Werring D, Patel S, Moores L. Antithrombotic Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation. Chest 2018; 154:1121-1201. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2018.07.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 481] [Impact Index Per Article: 80.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
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Vandermolen JL, Sadaf MI, Gehi AK. Management and Disposition of Atrial Fibrillation in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review. J Atr Fibrillation 2018; 11:1810. [PMID: 30455832 DOI: 10.4022/jafib.1810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
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. Methods and Results A systematic review was done using PubMed (MEDLINE), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and EMBASE, combining the search terms "Atrial Fibrillation", "Atrial Flutter", "Emergency Medicine", "Emergency Service", and "Emergency Treatment". After removal of duplicates, 754 articles were identified. After initial screening of titles and abstracts, 69full text articles were carefully reviewed and 34 articles were ultimately included in the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The articles were grouped into four main categories: decision aids and outcome predictors, electrical cardioversion-based protocols, antiarrhythmic-based protocols, and general management protocols. 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin L Vandermolen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Murrium I Sadaf
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Anil K Gehi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
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Zhan Y, Joza J, Al Rawahi M, Barbosa RS, Samuel M, Bernier M, Huynh T, Thanassoulis G, Essebag V. Assessment and Management of the Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation. Can J Cardiol 2018; 34:252-261. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2017.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
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15
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Implementation of an emergency department atrial fibrillation and flutter pathway improves rates of appropriate anticoagulation, reduces length of stay and thirty-day revisit rates for congestive heart failure. CAN J EMERG MED 2017; 20:392-400. [DOI: 10.1017/cem.2017.418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AbstractObjectivesAn evidence-based emergency department (ED) atrial fibrillation and flutter (AFF) pathway was developed to improve care. The primary objective was to measure rates of new anticoagulation (AC) on ED discharge for AFF patients who were not AC correctly upon presentation.MethodsThis is a pre-post evaluation from April to December 2013 measuring the impact of our pathway on rates of new AC and other performance measures in patients with uncomplicated AFF solely managed by emergency physicians. A standardized chart review identified demographics, comorbidities, and ED treatments. The primary outcome was the rate of new AC. Secondary outcomes were ED length of stay (LOS), referrals to AFF clinic, ED revisit rates, and 30-day rates of return visits for congestive heart failure (CHF), stroke, major bleeding, and death.ResultsED AFF patients totalling 301 (129 pre-pathway [PRE]; 172 post-pathway [POST]) were included; baseline demographics were similar between groups. The rates of AC at ED presentation were 18.6% (PRE) and 19.7% (POST). The rates of new AC on ED discharge were 48.6 % PRE (95% confidence interval [CI] 42.1%-55.1%) and 70.2% POST (62.1%-78.3%) (20.6% [p<0.01; 15.1-26.3]). Median ED LOS decreased from 262 to 218 minutes (44 minutes [p<0.03; 36.2-51.8]). Thirty-day rates of ED revisits for CHF decreased from 13.2% to 2.3% (10.9%; p<0.01; 8.1%-13.7%), and rates of other measures were similar.ConclusionsThe evidence-based pathway led to an improvement in the rate of patients with new AC upon discharge, a reduction in ED LOS, and decreased revisit rates for CHF.
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16
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Outcomes for Emergency Department Patients With Recent-Onset Atrial Fibrillation and Flutter Treated in Canadian Hospitals. Ann Emerg Med 2017; 69:562-571.e2. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2016.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Revised: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Kirchhof P, Benussi S, Kotecha D, Ahlsson A, Atar D, Casadei B, Castella M, Diener HC, Heidbuchel H, Hendriks J, Hindricks G, Manolis AS, Oldgren J, Popescu BA, Schotten U, Van Putte B, Vardas P. 2016 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with EACTS. Eur Heart J 2016; 37:2893-2962. [PMID: 27567408 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehw210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4742] [Impact Index Per Article: 592.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
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18
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Kirchhof P, Benussi S, Kotecha D, Ahlsson A, Atar D, Casadei B, Castella M, Diener HC, Heidbuchel H, Hendriks J, Hindricks G, Manolis AS, Oldgren J, Popescu BA, Schotten U, Van Putte B, Vardas P, Agewall S, Camm J, Baron Esquivias G, Budts W, Carerj S, Casselman F, Coca A, De Caterina R, Deftereos S, Dobrev D, Ferro JM, Filippatos G, Fitzsimons D, Gorenek B, Guenoun M, Hohnloser SH, Kolh P, Lip GYH, Manolis A, McMurray J, Ponikowski P, Rosenhek R, Ruschitzka F, Savelieva I, Sharma S, Suwalski P, Tamargo JL, Taylor CJ, Van Gelder IC, Voors AA, Windecker S, Zamorano JL, Zeppenfeld K. 2016 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with EACTS. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2016; 50:e1-e88. [DOI: 10.1093/ejcts/ezw313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 602] [Impact Index Per Article: 75.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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Kirchhof P, Benussi S, Kotecha D, Ahlsson A, Atar D, Casadei B, Castella M, Diener HC, Heidbuchel H, Hendriks J, Hindricks G, Manolis AS, Oldgren J, Popescu BA, Schotten U, Van Putte B, Vardas P, Agewall S, Camm J, Baron Esquivias G, Budts W, Carerj S, Casselman F, Coca A, De Caterina R, Deftereos S, Dobrev D, Ferro JM, Filippatos G, Fitzsimons D, Gorenek B, Guenoun M, Hohnloser SH, Kolh P, Lip GYH, Manolis A, McMurray J, Ponikowski P, Rosenhek R, Ruschitzka F, Savelieva I, Sharma S, Suwalski P, Tamargo JL, Taylor CJ, Van Gelder IC, Voors AA, Windecker S, Zamorano JL, Zeppenfeld K. 2016 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with EACTS. Europace 2016; 18:1609-1678. [PMID: 27567465 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euw295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1318] [Impact Index Per Article: 164.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Stefan Agewall
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - John Camm
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Gonzalo Baron Esquivias
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Werner Budts
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Scipione Carerj
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Filip Casselman
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Antonio Coca
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Raffaele De Caterina
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Spiridon Deftereos
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Dobromir Dobrev
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - José M Ferro
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Gerasimos Filippatos
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Donna Fitzsimons
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Bulent Gorenek
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Maxine Guenoun
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Stefan H Hohnloser
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Philippe Kolh
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Gregory Y H Lip
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Athanasios Manolis
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - John McMurray
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Piotr Ponikowski
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Raphael Rosenhek
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Frank Ruschitzka
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Irina Savelieva
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Sanjay Sharma
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Piotr Suwalski
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Juan Luis Tamargo
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Clare J Taylor
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Isabelle C Van Gelder
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Adriaan A Voors
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Stephan Windecker
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Jose Luis Zamorano
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
| | - Katja Zeppenfeld
- The disclosure forms of all experts involved in the development of these guidelines are available on the ESC website http://www.escardio.org/guidelines
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Kriz R, Freynhofer M, Weiss T, Egger F, Gruber S, Eisenburger P, Wojta J, Huber K, Koch J. Safety and efficacy of pharmacological cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation: a single-center experience. Am J Emerg Med 2016; 34:1486-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2016.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Vadmann H, Nielsen PB, Hjortshøj SP, Riahi S, Rasmussen LH, Lip GYH, Larsen TB. Atrial flutter and thromboembolic risk: a systematic review. Heart 2015; 101:1446-55. [DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2015-307550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia that results from the chaotic depolarization of atrial tissue. AF is the most common sustained cardiac dysrhythmia and the most common dysrhythmia diagnosed in US emergency departments. All patients with AF must have their cardioembolic risk assessed, even if sinus rhythm is restored. Novel oral anticoagulants may be considered instead of vitamin K antagonists for anticoagulation in patients with nonvalvular AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Goralnick
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Laura J Bontempo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 6th Floor, Suite 200, 110 South Paca Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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Scheuermeyer FX, Pourvali R, Rowe BH, Grafstein E, Heslop C, MacPhee J, McGrath L, Ward J, Heilbron B, Christenson J. Emergency Department Patients With Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter and an Acute Underlying Medical Illness May Not Benefit From Attempts to Control Rate or Rhythm. Ann Emerg Med 2015; 65:511-522.e2. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2014.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2014] [Revised: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Scheuermeyer FX, Innes G, Pourvali R, Dewitt C, Grafstein E, Heslop C, MacPhee J, Ward J, Heilbron B, McGrath L, Christenson J. Missed Opportunities for Appropriate Anticoagulation Among Emergency Department Patients With Uncomplicated Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter. Ann Emerg Med 2013; 62:557-565.e2. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2013.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2013] [Revised: 03/16/2013] [Accepted: 04/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Scheuermeyer FX, Grafstein E, Stenstrom R, Innes G, Heslop C, MacPhee J, Pourvali R, Heilbron B, McGrath L, Christenson J. Thirty-Day and 1-Year Outcomes of Emergency Department Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and No Acute Underlying Medical Cause. Ann Emerg Med 2012; 60:755-765.e2. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2012.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2012] [Revised: 05/02/2012] [Accepted: 05/08/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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