Case Vignettes - Atrial Fibrillation

This educational activity consists of 5 cases that illustrate different aspects of the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The first 2 cases address indications for antithrombotic therapy in patients with AF with clinical risk factors for stroke; the third case discusses the controversial question of bridging therapy in a patient with chronic AF on long-term warfarin; the fourth case focuses on the management of a patient with recent-onset AF who requires emergency cardioversion; and the fifth case discusses the management of anticoagulant therapy in a patient with chronic AF who is scheduled for ablation therapy. The variety of these cases is intended to further the understanding of and distinguish between various types of patients who have AF and illustrate the best treatment strategies for each.