Take Control: Early Use of AADs for Rhythm Control in Atrial Fibrillation

Overview
Although guidelines for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) include the goals of preventing thromboembolism and providing rhythm control and rate control, rhythm control strategies remain largely underutilized. Most physicians choose rate control for initial AF management—only considering rhythm control measures when adequate symptom control is not achieved. Additionally, increasing interest in electrophysiological approaches to rhythm control—despite ongoing debate over its role in first-line therapy and the ready availability of antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) with demonstrated safety and effectiveness—likely accounts for AAD underuse. Emerging data from clinical trials and real-world studies highlights the importance of adopting early rhythm control strategies—including the use of AADs in rhythm control—in minimizing structural changes and improving long-term outcomes for patients with AF.

In this Virtual Practice, learners will guide the management of two AF patients and also have the opportunity to play two rounds of Escape the Exam Room!, an exercise that—for sharp-eyed, fast-thinking players—presents useful, evidence-based clinical information in a unique and challenging way.

Target Audience
This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of cardiologists, primary care physicians, pharmacists, and other health care providers (HCPs) involved in the care of AF patients.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Describe the benefits of an early rhythm control strategy for patients with AF
- Identify the role of AADs in achieving rhythm control in the management of AF
- Evaluate recent clinical trial findings regarding safety and efficacy of AADs
- Apply clinical trial findings regarding AADs to real-world practice settings in the management of patients with AF