Run Time: 2 minutes

Author: Dr. Christopher Holmes

Educational Pearls:

• Rate control with beta blockers or calcium channel blockers; with a slightly increased efficacy using calcium channel blockers.
• It is not contraindicated to give both if the first medication tried does not work.
• Magnesium has been shown to supplement the beta blockers and calcium channel blockers in patients with AFib.

References:

• http://content.onlinejacc.org/article.aspx?articleid=1138745#tab1
• http://content.onlinejacc.org/article.aspx?articleid=1136655#tab1