Acute management of atrial fibrillation: from emergency department to cardiac care unit.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common tachyarrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. One-third of hospitalizations in the United States are attributed to AF, with increasing rates in the past decade. Significant morbidity and mortality, including ∼15% to 20% of all ischemic strokes, result from AF. AF is associated with many causes and comorbidities. Hallmarks of acute AF management are accurate diagnosis, clinical stabilization, symptom relief through rate or rhythm control, thromboembolic stroke risk modification, and treatment of underlying causes. Meticulous and individualized acute evaluation based on these goals facilitates successful transition to long-term collaborative optimization of outcomes.