Clinical Management of Atrial Fibrillation

The purpose of this course is to provide a basic review of current treatment options for the management of atrial fibrillation and indications for use, risks, and criteria for evaluating the treatment's efficacy. In addition, members of the public may use this course to enhance their personal knowledge of the subject matter presented.

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

1. Describe cardiac conduction and the components of an ECG waveform.
2. Use your knowledge of the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation, including key defining characteristics, to differentiate it from other arrhythmias and predict impact on normal functioning.
3. Outline common cardiac and noncardiac causes of atrial fibrillation.
4. List key clinical data, including subjective symptoms, past medical history, physical assessment findings, and diagnostic/laboratory tests, important to obtain when assessing a patient with atrial fibrillation.
5. Identify key components that should be considered in the development of the medical plan of care, including the issue of generic drug substitution.
6. Compare and contrast antiarrhythmic medications appropriate to use for acute and chronic rate control for patients with atrial fibrillation.
7. Outline the use of pharmacologic therapy in the restoration of normal sinus rhythm, including indications for use and procedure for administration.
8. Describe electrical cardioversion, including indications and pre- and postprocedure care.
9. Discuss antiarrhythmic medications that may be used to maintain normal sinus rhythm in a patient following successful spontaneous, electrical, or pharmacologic cardioversion.
10. Select appropriate pharmacologic measures that may be used to reduce risk of thromboembolic events in persons with atrial fibrillation.
11. Discuss the use of radiofrequency ablation of the atrioventricular (AV) node in the clinical management of atrial fibrillation.
12. Describe the causes and recommended management of atrial fibrillation in adult patients following coronary artery bypass graft surgery and in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
13. Using simulated case study data, develop a best practice strategy for the clinical management of atrial fibrillation.

This 10-hour continuing education course is available for download for professional development; if continuing education credit is desired, please see instructions included in eBook.