Korean J Clin Pharm.  2016 Mar;26(1):84-95. 10.0000/kjcp.2016.26.1.84.

A Comparative Study of USA and Europe Guidelines of Rate and Rhythm Control Pharmacotherapy in Atrial Fibrillation

• Jung EJ
• Sohn K
• Baek IH

• KMID: 2226435
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/kjcp.2016.26.1.84

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Atrial fibrillation (AF) guidelines have been published in the USA and Europe. Recently, the USA and Europe have updated their guidelines, respectively. These new AF guidelines help in addressing key management issues in clinical situations. This study, therefore, systematically compared guidelines for rate and rhythm control pharmacotherapy of patients with AF between the USA (American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, ACC/AHA) and Europe (European Society of Cardiology, ESC).
METHODS
This study investigated and compared American guidelines (2014) and European guidelines (2010 and 2012).
RESULTS
Generally, there are four meaningful differences between ACC/AHA and ESC guidelines. Important differences are treatment classification system, level of recommendation, drug list, and dosage. In addition, ACC/AHA described pharmacokinetic drug interactions for antiarrhythmic drugs. ESC emphasized ECG and atrioventricular nodal slowing as feature of antiarrhythmic drugs.
CONCLUSION
This research addresses important use of anti-arrhythmic drugs and movement to accept recent recommendations in Korea. For the successful application of the guidelines, a role of pharmacists is crucial in clinical situation.

Keyword

Atrial fibrillation; pharmacotherapy; ACC/AHA; ESC; guideline

MeSH Terms

American Heart Association
Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
Atrial Fibrillation*
Cardiology
Classification
Drug Interactions
Drug Therapy*
Electrocardiography
Europe*
Humans
Korea
Pharmacists
Anti-Arrhythmia Agents