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Atrial fibrillation - Management
When should I offer drug treatment in primary care?
- Rate-control treatments (beta-blockers, rate-limiting calcium-channel blockers, and digoxin) can be started in primary care, but rhythm-control treatments (such as amiodarone, flecainide, and sotalol) should only be started on specialist advice.
- Start a rate-controlling drug if the person does not require admission, regardless of whether they are to be managed in primary care or have been referred to a specialist for consideration of rhythm control, if:
- The resting heart rate is 90 beats per minute or more, or
- The heart rate is fast on exertion, resulting in a limited exercise tolerance.
In depth
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