Revista Científica de la Sociedad Española de Medicina de Urgencias y Emergencias

Grupo de Arritmias Cardiacas. Sociedad Española de Medicina de Urgencias y Emergencias, Spain. Sección de Electrofisiología y Arritmias. Sociedad Española de Cardiología, Spain.

Atrial fibrillation is the most frecuently sustained arrhythmia managed in emergency
departments, and accounts for a high and increasing prevalence in Spain. Atrial
fibrillation is increases mortality, is associated with substantial complications and,
therefore, has a relevant impact inrunning of the health care system. Management
requires consideration of diverse clinical variables and a large number of possible
therapeutic approaches, justifying action plans that coordinate the work of medical staff
in the interest of providing appropriate care and optimizing resources. These evidencebased
guidelines contain recommendations for managing atrial fibrillation in the special
circumstances of hospital emergency departments. Stroke prohylaxis, rate control,
rhtyhm control, and related diagnostic and logistic issues are discussed in detail.