Atrial Fibrillation (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Atrial Fibrillation Overview
- Atrial Fibrillation Causes
- Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Atrial Fibrillation Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Support Groups and Counseling
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Viewer Comments: Atrial Fibrillation - Effective Treatments
Follow-up
If you have no heart disease and medications succeed in controlling your heart rate, you can be sent home from the emergency room. You should follow-up with your health care provider within 48 hours.
If your rhythm does not convert to normal by itself, you may need electrical cardioversion, or defibrillation.
- If you have been in atrial fibrillation longer than 48 hours, you will need
three weeks of treatment with an anticoagulant medication, such as warfarin, before
electric shock and
for four weeks after.
- Anyone with underlying heart disease or those that do not respond to rate controlling treatment may require hospital care.
Next: Prevention »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Atrial Fibrillation - Effective Treatments
The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:
What kinds of treatments have been effective for your atrial fibrillation?
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Atrial Fibrilation »
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia characterized by disorganized atrial electrical activity and progressive deterioration of atrial electromechanical function.
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