What medications stabilize heart rate?
The two types of medication most commonly used to slow a racing heart are: Beta-blockers. Calcium channel blockers.
Which agent would be most likely used to control the heart rate of patients with atrial fibrillation?
Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers are the drugs of choice because they provide rapid rate control. 4,7,12 These drugs are effective in reducing the heart rate at rest and during exercise in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Can atrial flutter be controlled with medication?
Antiarrhythmic medications can control electrical impulses to the heart, thus encouraging a healthy rate and rhythm. Medications such as amiodarone, flecainide, Multaq®, and sotalol are commonly used for these purposes.
Is diltiazem used for atrial flutter?
Background: Diltiazem (calcium channel blocker) and metoprolol (beta-blocker) are both commonly used to treat atrial fibrillation/flutter (AFF) in the emergency department (ED).
Can atrial flutter correct itself?
Sometimes, atrial flutter goes away by itself and no further action is needed. If it persists, your doctor may pursue any of the following treatments: Treatment of any underlying conditions. Catheter ablation — procedure to destroy the errant electrical pathways; performed together with an electrophysiological study.
Which beta-blocker is best for atrial flutter?
Bisoprolol* or metoprolol succinate are first-choice beta-blockers for patients with atrial fibrillation as they are prescribed once-daily and do not require dose adjustment in patients with renal impairment. Bisoprolol is preferred as it is more cardioselective than metoprolol and may cause more bradycardia.
Which is safer metoprolol or diltiazem?
From a safety perspective, there was no difference between the groups with respect to hypotension (systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg) and bradycardia (HR < 60 bpm). Conclusions: Diltiazem was more effective in achieving rate control in ED patients with AFF and did so with no increased incidence of adverse effects.