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Short Stay Management of Atrial Fibrillation pp 87–100Cite as

Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation in the Emergency Department or Observation Unit

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Part of the book series: Contemporary Cardiology ((CONCARD))

Abstract

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at an increased risk of thromboembolic stroke, and anticoagulation to reduce the risk of stroke and other thromboembolic events is a standard part of the management of this arrhythmia in the emergency department (ED) and observation unit (OU). The decision to start anticoagulation should be shared between patient, ED/OU physicians, and the patient’s primary physicians and should include a careful consideration of the patient’s risk of stroke and risk of bleeding. The novel or non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban have emerged as promising alternatives to warfarin, offering simplified dosing and, in some cases, clinical benefit over warfarin. The thoughtful and timely initiation of anticoagulation in the ED or OU can prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and increase adherence to this important preventive therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brigham and Women’s Hospital Heart and Vascular Center Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Deepak L. Bhatt MD, MPH, FACC, FAHA, FSCAI, FESC & Andrew E. Noll MD

  2. Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Andrew E. Noll MD

Authors
  1. Deepak L. Bhatt MD, MPH, FACC, FAHA, FSCAI, FESC
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  2. Andrew E. Noll MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Deepak L. Bhatt MD, MPH, FACC, FAHA, FSCAI, FESC .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine Baylor College of Medicine, HOUSTON, Texas, USA

    W. Frank Peacock

  2. Department of Emergency Medicine, Beaumont Health System, William Beaumont Hospital, William Beaumont School of Medicine, Oakland University, Royal Oak, Michigan, USA

    Carol L. Clark

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Bhatt, D.L., Noll, A.E. (2016). Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation in the Emergency Department or Observation Unit. In: Peacock, W., Clark, C. (eds) Short Stay Management of Atrial Fibrillation. Contemporary Cardiology. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31386-3_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31386-3_9

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-31384-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-31386-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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