Atrial fibrillation in emergency department:

Background Current guidelines do not provide definitive indications about the treatment in emergency departments (ED) of patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods A multicentre observational study involving four general hospitals of the same metropolitan area was conducted. All consecutive adult patients admitted to the ED with recent symptoms of AF (<48 h duration) and discharged home were considered. Patients who underwent ED early cardioversion were enrolled in group A. Patients managed with ventricular rate control were enrolled in group B. Results On the 24 h Holter recordings at 1-week follow-up, stable sinus rhythm was detected in 46/5