Abstract | OBJECTIVES: Acute atrial fibrillation and flutter are very common arrhythmias seen in emergency department (ED) patients, but there is no consensus for their optimal management. The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) procainamide for acute atrial fibrillation or flutter. METHODS: This health records review included a consecutive cohort of ED patients with acute-onset atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter who received IV procainamide at one university hospital ED during a five-year period. The standard clinical protocol involved IV infusion of 1 g of procainamide over 60 minutes, followed by electrical cardioversion if necessary. A trained observer extracted data from the original clinical records. Outcome measurements included conversion to sinus rhythm, adverse events, and relapse up to seven days. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: This study of acute atrial fibrillation or flutter patients treated in the ED with IV procainamide suggests that this treatment is safe and effective in this setting. Procainamide should be prospectively compared with other ED strategies.
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Authors | Ian G Stiell, Catherine M Clement, Cheryl Symington, Jeffrey J Perry, Christian Vaillancourt, George A Wells |
Journal | Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
(Acad Emerg Med)
Vol. 14
Issue 12
Pg. 1158-64
(Dec 2007)
ISSN: 1553-2712 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 18045891
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
- Procainamide
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
(administration & dosage)
- Atrial Fibrillation
(drug therapy)
- Atrial Flutter
(drug therapy)
- Electric Countershock
- Emergency Service, Hospital
- Female
- Humans
- Infusions, Intravenous
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Procainamide
(administration & dosage)
- Retrospective Studies
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