EBQ:Ottawa Aggressive ED Cardioversion Protocol

incomplete Journal Club Article

Stiell I. et al.. "Association of the Ottawa Aggressive Protocol with rapid discharge of emergency department patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation or flutter". CJEM. May 2010. =12(3):181-91.
PubMed Full text PDF

Clinical Question

What is the effectiveness and safety of the Ottawa Aggressive Protocol to perform rapid cardioversion and discharge of patients with new onset atrial fibrillation?

Conclusion

In patients with new onset atrial fibrillation or flutter with symptoms onset <48 hours, rapid conversion with procainamide or electrical cardioversion is safe and will also decrease treatment time and hospital admissions.