Referral Criteria
- Rapid Access Atrial Fibrillation Clinic (RAAFC) for patients with:
- Recent newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation.
- Confirmed by 12 lead ECG.
- ECG must be attached to referral.
Exclusion criteria:
- Known long standing AF
- Known or suspected valvular disease
- Known alcohol abuse with liver impairment
- Left ventricular systolic dysfunction/ cardiomyopathy.
- Decompensated heart failure.
- If exclusion criteria present these patients should be referred to a cardiology clinic.
Contraindication to anti coagulation therapy :
- haemorrhagic stroke; significant bleeding.
- conditions in which risk of bleeding is increased, e.g. history of gastro-intestinal bleeding, peptic ulcer, recent surgery, recent ischaemic stroke, bacterial endocarditis, uncontrolled hypertension. ( BNF May 2013)
RAAFC will appoint within 10 working days of receiving SCI referral.
Diagnosis will be confirmed.
Stroke risk will be assessed
Treatment as per AF protocol will be initiated/recommended
Follow up at RAAFC if appropriate.
Referral on to cardiology if appropriate.
Discharge to primary care if appropriate.