Current and comprehensive - a highly readable update on the clinical approach to management of the AF patient.

“It is the best small book that I know dealing with this big subject. - From the foreword by A. John Camm, MD



Atrial Fibrillation: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Improving Patient Outcomes, provides a current and comprehensive update on pathophysiology, epidemiology, management strategies of rate control, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches to rhythm control, risk stratification for stroke and bleeding, anticoagulant therapy, and left atrial occlusion devices. The contributions by experienced internists, cardiologists, electrophysiologists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, pharmacists, internists, nurse practitioners, and nurse educators provide a unique perspective. Case studies of paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent atrial provide clinical context incorporating recent evidence and best practices for the multidisciplinary approach to improving patient outcomes.

“The physician is inundated with information, and needs all of this to be reduced and summarized in a readable form. This cannot be done simply by technical editing because it involves real expertise to pick the “jewels for the crown.” This has been accomplished so well by the authors who have contributed to this book. The result is a gem — a source of enlightenment for all the many clinicians who care for patients suffering from this ubiquitous arrhythmia. I read it from cover to cover in about three hours, and learned much which is new and useful to my practice. It is the best small book that I know dealing with this big subject.”

-From the foreword by A. John Camm, MD

Section 1 - Atrial Fibrillation: Background, Evaluation, and Management
1. Classification and Epidemiology of Atrial Fibrillation
Faisal Rahman, Emelia J. Benjamin
2. Clinical Evaluation of the Atrial Fibrillation Patient
Jennifer Cruz, Paul Dorian
3. Rhythm Management: Making the Choice Between Rate and Rhythm Control
D. George Wyse, Laurie Burland
4. Rhythm Control: Cardioversion and Antiarrhythmic Agents
Shameer Ahmed, Gerald V. Naccarelli
5. Strategies of Rate Control
Jonathon Weinstock
6. Non-pharmacologic Approaches to Rhythm Control - Ablation
Michael P. Riley, Andrew E. Epstein
7. Hybrid Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation: Thoracscopic and Catheter Ablation of AF
Laurent Pison, Mark La Meir
8. Left Atrial Appendage Excision, Ligation and Occlusion Devices
Taral K. Patel, Bradley P. Knight
9. Atrial Fibrillation: A Surgical Approach to Improving Patient Outcomes
Christopher P. Lawrance, Ralph J. Damiano, Jr.

Section 2 - Multidisciplinary Team Approach to the Care of the Atrial Fibrillation Patient
10. Anesthesia Care for the Atrial Fibrillation Patient: Cardioversion and AF Ablation
Alfred J. Albano, Zachary Camann, Michael England
11. The Role of the Pharmacist
Erika Felix-Getzik, Ann C. Garlitski
12. The Physicians Role in the Management of the Atrial Fibrillation Patient: Role of the Primary Care Physician and Cardiologist
Brian J. Cohen, Mark S. Link
13. The Nurse Practitioner’s Role in the Management of Atrial Fibrillation
Maureen Abbott, Munther Homoud
14. Shared Decision Making for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: Patient Preferences and Decision Aids
Aileen M. Ferrick

Section 3 - Case Studies
15. Case Study: Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Mohamed Aljaabari, Angelo Fransesquini, Lisa Contis
16. Case Study: Should All Patients be Anticoagulated after Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Mustafa M. Dohadwala, Cynthia Enright
17. Case Study: Permanent Atrial Fibrillation
Yousef Bader, Diane Grogan