This review is a pragmatic attempt to highlight recent research and some background reading on atrial fibrillation. It should not be considered exhaustive, simply a way of reviewing some of the major developments and current thinking in the area.
Click here to see all the TRIP Evidence ReviewsRelated review: Anticoagulation
Evidence-Based Reports
- Anticoagulation post- cardioversion of acute atrial fibrillation in the emergency department. BestBETS, 2005
- There was no difference in mortality when rate control versus rhythm control was used in the management of atrial fibrillation. Neurology CATs, 2004
- Rate control was more cost effective than rhythm control in persistent atrial fibrillation. Evidence-Based Medicine (Requires free registration), 2005
- Atrial fibrillation had a negative impact on quality of life, and treatment with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator with atrial therapies helped patients regain a sense of normalcy. Evidence-Based Nursing (Requires free registration), 2005
- Pulmonary vein isolation was better than antiarrhythmic drugs for symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Evidence-Based Medicine (Requires free registration), 2006
- Secondary prevention of stroke and TIA. Northern and Yorkshire Drug and Therapeutics Centre, 2007
Clinical Guidelines
- Atrial fibrillation. PRODIGY, 2007
- The management of atrial fibrillation. NICE, 2006
- Canadian Cardiovascular Society Consensus Conference : Atrial Fibrillation. 2004
- Antithrombotic therapy in atrial fibrillation: The Seventh ACCP Conference on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy. American College of Chest Physicians, 2004
- Atrial fibrillation. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement, 2004
- The Management of People with Atrial Fibrillation and Flutter. New Zealand Guidelines Group, 2005
Systematic Reviews
- Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation. Swedish Council on Technology Assessement, 2005
- Is pulse palpation helpful in detecting atrial fibrillation: a systematic review. DARE, 2006
- High intensity focused ultrasound ablation for atrial fibrillation as an associated procedure with other cardiac surgery. NICE, 2006
- Radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation in association with other cardiac surgery. NICE, 2005
- Microwave ablation for atrial fibrillation in association with other cardiac surgery. NICE, 2005
- Cryoablation for atrial fibrillation in association with other cardiac surgery. NICE, 2005
- Percutaneous radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. NICE, 2005
- A randomised controlled trial and cost-effectiveness study of systematic screening (targeted and total population screening) versus routine practice for the detection of atrial fibrillation in people aged 65 and over. NCCHTA, 2005
- Pharmacological cardioversion for atrial fibrillation and flutter. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2005
- Oral anticoagulants for preventing stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and no previous history of stroke or transient ischemic attacks. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2005
- Electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation and flutter. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2005
- Rate vs rhythm control in patients with atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis. DARE, 2005
Recent articles in core journals
- Prospective randomized study comparing amiodarone vs. amiodarone plus losartan vs. amiodarone plus perindopril for the prevention of atrial fibrillation recurrence in patients with lone paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Eur Heart J, 2006
- Clopidogrel plus aspirin versus oral anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation in the Atrial fibrillation Clopidogrel Trial with Irbesartan for prevention of Vascular Events (ACTIVE W): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet, 2006
- Amiodarone prophylaxis for atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: meta-analysis of dose response and timing of initiation. Pharmacotherapy, 2007
- Prevention of atrial fibrillation onset by beta-blocker treatment in heart failure: a meta-analysis. Eur Heart J, 2007
- Mortality trends in patients diagnosed with first atrial fibrillation a 21-year community-based study. J Am Coll Cardiol, 2007
- Pulse pressure and risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation. JAMA, 2007
- Impact of adverse events on prescribing warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation: matched pair analysis. BMJ, 2006
- The diagnostic utility of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide for the detection of major structural heart disease in patients with atrial fibrillation. Eur Heart J, 2006
eTextbooks
Clinical Queries
- How much of a risk is atrial flutter compared with atrial fibrillation for causing stroke. Is there evidence to show anticoagulation is still worthwhile in flutter? NLH Q&A Service, 2006 View answer OR Can you answer this question for extra CPD?
- Which is more likely to lead to embolic stroke, continuous atrial fibrillation (AF) or paroxysmal AF? NLH Q&A Service, 2005
- What is the optimum duration of treatment with amiodarone for patients following an episode of atrial fibrillation which is now resolved? NLH Q&A Service, 2006
- Is there any evidence for using clopidogrel either alone or in combination with aspirin 75mg for a patient with atrial fibrillation? NLH Q&A Service, 2006
- Is a loading dose of warfarin necassary in uncomplicated atrial fibrillation? NLH Q&A Service, 2006 View answer OR Can you answer this question for extra CPD?
- Is there any good evidence for or against treating new onset fast AF (rate 140) in primary care, especially if asymptomatic? NLH Q&A Service, 2006
- For women using anticoagulants what contraceptive options are safe? FFPRHC, 2006 View answer OR Can you answer this question for extra CPD?
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