2016, Volume 23, Supplement 2: The future of cardioversion management – new strategies for the use of oral anticoagulation in direct current cardioversion

Multiple clinical risk factors, electrocardiographic/echocardiographic features and biochemical markers are associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). AF poses a significant challenge from a public health perspective as it is associated with a four- to five-fold increased risk of stroke. The aim of treatment is to prevent stroke and alleviate symptoms....

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of sustained cardiac arrhythmia, with an overall prevalence in the UK of 1.6% in women and 2.4% in men.1 AF is most common in the elderly (prevalence of 0.2% in patients aged 45–54 to 8.0% in patients aged 75 years and older) and those with clinical risk factors such as myocardial infarction, hypertension, angina and diabetes.1 Importantly, AF poses a significant challenge from a public health perspective as it is associated with a four- to five-fold increased risk of stroke.2...