AF Treatment Options 3

Question 1

What is the minimum recommended duration of anticoagulation after successful electrical cardioversion in a patient with AF of unknown duration?

Accepted Answer

4 weeks

Answer

Current guidelines recommend at least 4 weeks of therapeutic anticoagulation after cardioversion regardless of AF duration due to post-cardioversion atrial stunning.

Question 2

Which oral anticoagulant requires twice-daily dosing and has a specific reversal agent called idarucizumab?

Accepted Answer

Dabigatran

Answer

Dabigatran is a direct thrombin inhibitor dosed twice daily, and idarucizumab (Praxbind) is its specific reversal agent approved for urgent reversal.

Question 3

Left atrial appendage occlusion devices (e.g., Watchman) are primarily indicated in AF patients who have:

Accepted Answer

High stroke risk but contraindication to long-term anticoagulation

Answer

LAA occlusion is indicated in AF patients with elevated stroke risk who cannot tolerate long-term anticoagulation due to bleeding risk or other contraindications.

Question 4

Which class of antiarrhythmic drugs blocks sodium channels (class IC) and is used exclusively for rhythm control in patients without structural heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Flecainide and propafenone

Answer

Flecainide and propafenone are class IC sodium channel blockers safe only in structurally normal hearts; they are first-line rhythm control options in appropriate patients.

Question 5

A 'pill-in-the-pocket' approach to AF treatment involves the patient self-administering which drug upon symptom onset?

Accepted Answer

Flecainide or propafenone

Answer

The pill-in-the-pocket strategy uses a single oral dose of flecainide or propafenone taken at AF onset by selected low-risk patients to terminate paroxysmal episodes.

(AF) Atrial Fibrillation Certification Practice Test

(AF) Atrial Fibrillation Certification Practice Test

AF Treatment Options 3