ACP and AAFP release joint clinical guidelines to manage common heart...( ve the discomfort of symptoms associate...),Health

ve the discomfort of symptoms associated with atrial fibrillation," said Kevin B. Weiss, MD, MPH, chair of ACP's Clinical Efficacy Assessment Subcommitee and co-chair of the AAFP-ACP panel. "Prior to this evidence review, experts have primarily focused on restoring the heart's natural rhythm. This recent systematic review of the literature presents strong enough evidence for both the ACP and AAFP to agree on guidelines focusing on control of heart rate (with anticoagulation) as the best strategy for most patients."

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia. Common signs are fluttering sensation in the chest, lightheadedness, shortness of breath or chest pain. However, some people with atrial fibrillation have no symptoms.

Atrial fibrillation is not the same as ventricular fibrillation, the authors warn. Ventricular fibrillation -- irregular beat of the lower chambers of the heart, which pump blood to the lungs for oxygen refueling and to the rest of the body -- is much more serious. Irregular ventricular rhythms must be immediately converted into normal rhythm or the heart collapses, resulting in sudden cardiac death. The conversion is done with an electrical defibrillator that shocks the heart.

The guidelines are the result of an 18-month collaboration between the two organizations to develop evidence-based recommendations on the best way to treat atrial fibrillation. ACP and AAFP have collaborated previously on a guideline on the prevention and management of migraines, published in Annals of Internal Medicine on Nov. 19, 2002. They are working on two more collaborative guidelines. Both AAFP and ACP support clinical guidelines based on scientifically reviewed evidence instead of on the opinion of an expert panel.

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15-Dec-2003

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