Atrial Fibrillation Treatment

Question 1

What should be carried out in patients with life-threatening haemodynamic instability?

Answer 1

Emergency electrical cardioversion

Question 2

What drug should be offered at initial presentation of atrial fibrillation?

Answer 2

Heparin

Question 3

What are the 3 drugs that can be used for rate control in patients with AF?

Answer 3

Beta blockers - atenolol
Calcium channel blockers - diltiazem
Digoxin (only in sedentary patients)

Question 4

What procedure can be used in the rate control of AF?

Answer 4

AV node ablation

Question 5

What 3 drugs can be given in the long term medical rhythm control of AF?

Answer 5

Beta blockers - first line
Dronedarone - second line
Amiodarone - heart failure patients

Question 6

For patients with paroxysmal AF may be prescribed which drug as a ´pill-in-the-pocket´approach?

What does this mean?

Answer 6

Flecanide

It is taken only when they feel symptoms begin to arise

Question 7

What are the 2 most commonly used drugs for long term anticoagulation in patients with AF?

Answer 7

Warfarin
DOACs