Emergency Response for Acute Atrial Fibrillation

When acute atrial fibrillation occurs, individuals experiencing the condition at home have limited options. It's best to sit or lie down and remain calm to avoid rapid heartbeats that could lead to low blood pressure, insufficient blood flow to the brain, and potentially falls. Depending on the person's hemodynamic stability, two appropriate medical response strategies can be considered to seek prompt medical attention:

Seeking Medical Care Based on Condition

1. Hemodynamically Stable: In cases where the patient's vital signs are stable, they may choose to go to the hospital independently or with the assistance of another person.

2. Hemodynamically Unstable: If symptoms are severe or the patient feels unstable, it's crucial to immediately call emergency services (such as 911 in the US) for urgent transport to a hospital for professional evaluation and treatment.

Medical Evaluation and Treatment at the Hospital

Upon arrival at the hospital, healthcare professionals will perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) to confirm the presence of atrial fibrillation and identify any potential triggers. These may include underlying health conditions, electrolyte imbalances like low potassium levels, or acute ischemic events.

Initial Treatment Approach

For newly diagnosed acute atrial fibrillation, the first step typically involves establishing an intravenous (IV) line to administer medications and fluids while continuously monitoring the heart's electrical activity. This allows medical staff to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and adjust as needed.

Advanced Intervention if Necessary

If pharmacological therapy fails to restore a normal heart rhythm or if the patient develops complications such as hypotension, emergency electrical cardioversion may be performed. This procedure delivers a controlled electric shock to the heart to restore a normal sinus rhythm, stabilizing the patient's condition and improving overall outcomes.