STROKE PREVENTION IN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION PATIENTS PRESENTING TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT: ARE PREVIOUSLY DIAGNOSED PATIENTS UNDERTREATED?

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia managed by Emergency Department (ED) physicians. Individuals with AF have 3 to 5 times greater risk of ischemic stroke. However, systemic anticoagulation in accordance with the “2010 CCS AF Guidelines” may be underutilized in the ED setting. We compared anticoagulation treatment between ED patients with previously versus newly diagnosed AF.