FEATURED MEDICAL EDUCATION TOPIC: Atrial Fibrillation

What is the problem?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common long-term heart rhythm disorder seen in primary care and is a major cause of preventable stroke, heart failure, hospitalization, and death. Its prevalence is increasing due to an aging population and higher rates of conditions such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and sleep apnea. A recent national analysis estimates at least 10.55 million U.S. adults — 4.48% of the adult population — currently have diagnosed AFib. Primary care clinicians play an essential role in identifying AF early, assessing risk, managing patients over time, and coordinating care. Despite clear clinical guidelines, AF is often underdiagnosed and undertreated in primary care. Inconsistent use of stroke risk tools, uncertainty about starting and choosing anticoagulation, and differences in rate versus rhythm control approaches contribute to poorer outcomes. As AF treatment has rapidly evolved, many clinicians may feel uncertain about applying current recommendations in everyday practice.

The practice gap: translating well-established atrial fibrillation guidelines into consistent bedside action; reliably stratifying stroke risk, initiating and correctly dosing anticoagulation, and individualizing rate versus rhythm control.

Proposed Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Identify key risk factors, comorbidities, and complications associated with atrial fibrillation in primary care populations
• Apply guideline-recommended stroke risk assessment tools to determine appropriate anticoagulation therapy
• Select and monitor anticoagulant therapy based on patient-specific clinical factors
• Differentiate rate- and rhythm-control strategies and identify patients appropriate for early rhythm control or specialty referral

If your medical staff needs an update on atrial fibrillation, consider contacting our office to book a speaker at 714-505-4777 or info@speakersnetwork.com.

REFERENCES

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/atrial-fibrillation/what-is-atrial-fibrillation-afib-or-af

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(23)00205-3/fulltext#:~:text=Summary,digital%20and%20integrated%20AF%20management

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001193

https://www.ajmc.com/view/new-estimates-suggest-atrial-fibrillation-3-times-more-common-than-thought