Atrial Fibrillation Case Study Essay
Putting it All Together
Upon review of this interesting case, I began to consider the role of the primary care provider. I was stimulated to understand the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), the standards of care for treatment of AF, and the role in primary care setting and the best practices for treatment.
Prevalence and Screening
In work by Raizada, Gonzalo, and Stanton (2015), AF is the "most common arrhythmia" and the "lifetime risk over forty is one in four" (p. 209). This finding was enlightening. We should be considering this presence of AF with and without symptoms. Moreover, a few of risk factors include "obesity and hypertension" (Raizada et al., 2015, p. 209). Consequently, when patients present with these risk factors (age, obesity, and HTN), the screening …show more content…
In research by Giner-Soriano et al. (2016), the "beta-blocker is the first-line therapy for chronic AF" (p. 873). G. H. was being treated with a newer anticoagulant that did not require frequent lab work to assess coagulations studies. According to Opstelten, van den Donk, Kuijpers, and Burgers (2014), these medications can be used in "patients younger than eighty-years-old, few comorbid condition, good renal function, and expected drug adherence" (p. 148). These medications all met the profile of the particular patient in the scenario. She was initially treated with a beta-blocker, and she met all of the listed inclusion criteria for a newer anticoagulant.
Summary
A role of the primary care provider related to management of AF is multi-level. It includes the screening process, obtaining an ECG when symptoms arise, risk stratification for stroke, and working with the specialist to manage this condition on an ongoing basis. The ongoing patient care needs will include health maintenance and prevention of
Upon review of this interesting case, I began to consider the role of the primary care provider. I was stimulated to understand the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), the standards of care for treatment of AF, and the role in primary care setting and the best practices for treatment.
Prevalence and Screening
In work by Raizada, Gonzalo, and Stanton (2015), AF is the "most common arrhythmia" and the "lifetime risk over forty is one in four" (p. 209). This finding was enlightening. We should be considering this presence of AF with and without symptoms. Moreover, a few of risk factors include "obesity and hypertension" (Raizada et al., 2015, p. 209). Consequently, when patients present with these risk factors (age, obesity, and HTN), the screening …show more content…
In research by Giner-Soriano et al. (2016), the "beta-blocker is the first-line therapy for chronic AF" (p. 873). G. H. was being treated with a newer anticoagulant that did not require frequent lab work to assess coagulations studies. According to Opstelten, van den Donk, Kuijpers, and Burgers (2014), these medications can be used in "patients younger than eighty-years-old, few comorbid condition, good renal function, and expected drug adherence" (p. 148). These medications all met the profile of the particular patient in the scenario. She was initially treated with a beta-blocker, and she met all of the listed inclusion criteria for a newer anticoagulant.
Summary
A role of the primary care provider related to management of AF is multi-level. It includes the screening process, obtaining an ECG when symptoms arise, risk stratification for stroke, and working with the specialist to manage this condition on an ongoing basis. The ongoing patient care needs will include health maintenance and prevention of