Atrial fibrillation can present as an acute abnormality of heart rhythm, or may become a chronic condition with long-term management issues. During an acute presentation, the patient may need rate control and consideration of short-term anticoagulation and cardioversion. There are important considerations in managing these patients in the acute setting so that thromboembolic complications, especially stroke, can be prevented. This course provides an excellent background review of the issues related to cardioversion and anticoagulation in the acute setting. It is important to distinguish these acute issues from the role of anticoagulation in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation over the longer term.

• Identify patients with atrial fibrillation who require anticoagulation based on the CHADS2 and the CHA2DS2-VASc Risk scores
• Differentiate the common uses of oral anticoagulant agents in treating patients with atrial fibrillation
• Specify an optimal cardioversion strategy for stable patients presenting with atrial fibrillation
• Cite clinical trials that support the use of various oral anticoagulant agents in patients with atrial fibrillation