Practice Alert

How should we manage newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation?

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References

Antithrombotic therapy in atrial fibrillation.

In: Sixth ACCP Consensus Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy.

This is an excellent review of a grading scheme for stroke risk and choice of anti-thrombotic agents.

Source: Albers GW, Dalen JE, Laupacis A, et al.Antithrombotic therapy in atrial fibrillation. Chest 2001; 119(1 Suppl):194S–206S. (103 references)

Atrial fibrillation: drug treatment and electric cardioversion.

This Finnish guideline makes recommendations regarding drug treatment, anticoagulation, and cardioversion for patients with atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. The recommendations are not graded.

Source: Finnish Medical Society Duodecim. Atrial Fibrillation: Drug Treatment and Electric Cardioversion. Helsinki, Finland: Duodecim Medical Publications Ltd.; 2002 Mar 4. Various pages.

Preventive health care, 2000 update.

Use of ambulatory electrocardiography for the detection of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients with stroke.

This guideline is from 2000 and found insufficient evidence to recommend for or against ambulatory electrocardiography to detect atrial fibrillation for patients after stroke or TIA.

Source: Bell C, Kapral M. Use of ambulatory electrocardiography for the detection of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients with stroke. Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care. Can J Neurol Sc. 2000; 27:25–31. (78 references)

Correspondence
Keith B. Holten, MD, Clinton Memorial Hospital/University of Cincinnati Family Practice Residency, 825 W. Locust St., Wilmington, OH, 45177. E-mail: keholtenmd@cmhregional.com.

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