Atrial Fibrillation Protocol Lauded

Canadian medical scientists have found a specific protocol for the emergency room treatment of acute atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter is effective.

The researchers said the Ottawa Aggressive Protocol — consisting of a 1-hour, 1-gram IV procainamide infusion, electrical cardioversion, if necessary, and discharge with outpatient cardiology follow-up — is safe and effective treatment.

Dr. Ian Stiell of the Ottawa Health Research Institute found that in 660 patient visits during a five-year period, more than 90 percent with atrial fibrillation or flutter can be discharged with a normal heart rhythm using the protocol.

That method of treatment is in contrast to the U.S. standard protocol of hospital admission followed with treatment by cardiologists.

The study, presented Wednesday in Chicago during the annual meeting of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, appears in the journal Academic Emergency Medicine.