For many ED physicians, diltiazem has become the preferred agent to achieve rate control of AFIB with rapid ventricular rate (AFIB-RVR). Diltiazem is effective in treating AFIB-RVR by slowing conduction through the atrioventricular node (AV) and by prolonging AV node refractoriness.
The spectrum of atrial fibrillation is broad and diverse, with AFib with RVR being a unique subtype. The most perilous aspect of atrial fibrillation with RVR is not necessarily the heart rate, but the symptoms that patients may experience, which can resemble those experienced during a paroxysmal atrial fibrillation episodes. What is AFib with RVR?
Diltiazem vs Metoprolol for Afib w/ RVR? via @EMSwami FOAMed.
metoprolol or diltiazem, whichever broke the Afib RVR. Goal HR 110. If persistent, give amiodarone IV bolus 150mg and start amiodarone drip 1mg/min.
What are the considerations between choosing either diltiazem, metoprolol, or amiodarone, for Afib RVR/ Vtach rate control? Question. I kinda
Other symptoms of AFib with RVR may include dizziness, lack of energy, exercise intolerance and shortness of breath. If Afib with RVR goes on for too long then this may result in heart failure and of course worsening of existing heart failure. Control of the heart rate in patients with Afib with RVR often causes these symptoms to improve.
Or if you are hanging an Amiodarone drip, make Are you nervous your patient will flip into afib with RVR and you won't know what to do?
In fact this evening the patient's telemetry after starting the latest amiodarone drip showed afib rvr with a rate of s, appeared to
Amiodarone can still lead to hypotension initially, especially when bolused; Afib with RVR is unlikely to be the cause of hypotension alone
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Keep them coming 😊
BTW. Standalone CHF taking down an otherwise healty person like that??? No afib, no obesity, no alcoholism, no bundle blockage or left side failure??
Thank you for sharing this with us.