Baptist Health Standardized Evidence-Based Approach to Atrial Fibrillation

In this course, Dr. Mario Pascual explains the evidence supporting standardization of treatment options to reduce treatment variations for atrial fibrillation. Given that atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in the U.S., impacting an estimated 3-6 million adults and is associated with a four- to five-fold increased risk of stroke, it is important to educate all stakeholders in evidence-based care.

Target Audience

Cardiologists, Emergency Department Physicians, Hospitalists, Nursing Units, ICU, Physician Assistants/Physician Associates, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and all other interested health care providers.

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the evidence supporting standardization of treatment options to reduce treatment variation for atrial fibrillation
  • Utilize evidence-based protocols and guidelines that include a prevention-based protocol for cardiothoracic patients, inpatient cryptogenic stroke algorithm, and periprocedural anticoagulation management
  • Assess indications for use of Diltiazem bolus and continuous infusion protocol and explain the nursing implications of this protocol
Additional information
Bibliography: 
  • Heidenreich, P. A., Solis, P., Estes, N. a. M., Fonarow, G. C., Jurgens, C. Y., Marine, J. E., McManus, D. D., & McNamara, R. L. (2016). 2016 ACC/AHA Clinical Performance and Quality Measures for adults with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 68(5), 525–568. 
  • Heidenreich, P. A., Estes, N. a. M., Fonarow, G. C., Jurgens, C. Y., Kittleson, M. M., Marine, J. E., McManus, D. D., & McNamara, R. L. (2020). 2020 Update to the 2016 ACC/AHA Clinical Performance and Quality Measures for Adults with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Performance Measures. Circulation Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, 14(1).
  • Joglar, J. A., Chung, M. K., Armbruster, A. L., Benjamin, E. J., Chyou, J. Y., Cronin, E. M., Deswal, A., Eckhardt, L. L., Goldberger, Z. D., Gopinathannair, R., Gorenek, B., Hess, P. L., Hlatky, M., Hogan, G., Ibeh, C., Indik, J. H., Kido, K., Kusumoto, F., Link, M. S., . . . Van Wagoner, D. R. (2023). 2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation, 149(1). 
  • Campbell, L. A., Ammon, J. P., Kombathula, R., Muhammad, N., & Jackson, C. D. (2025). New atrial fibrillation guideline: Modify risk, control rhythm, prevent progression. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 92(5), 291–296. 
Course Summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 General certificate of attendance
  • 1.00 Nurse Practitioners
  • 1.00 Florida Board of Nursing
Course opens: 
11/07/2025
Course expires: 
11/06/2028

Mario Pascual, M.D.
Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
Division of Cardiology
Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute

Mario Pascual, M.D., faculty of this educational activity, is a consultant for Medtronic, and has indicated that the presentation or discussion will not include off-label or unapproved product usage.

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for this individual have been mitigated.

Medications Diltiazem (Cardizem), Lopressor (Metoprolol), Corvert (Ibutilide), Warfarin (Coumadin) and Amiodarone (Pacerone) are mentioned in course content specifically as these are the medications on formulary and used in patient care algorithms in Baptist Health facilities.

Atrial Fibrillation committee members, non-faculty contributors and others involved in the planning, development, and editing/review of the content have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* to disclose.

*Ineligible companies - Companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Disclosure Policy and Disclaimer

Baptist Health South Florida is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Baptist Health has been re-surveyed by the ACCME and awarded Commendation for 6 years as a provider of CME for physicians.
              
Baptist Health South Florida designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 General certificate of attendance
  • 1.00 Nurse Practitioners
  • 1.00 Florida Board of Nursing
Please login or register for a Baptist Health CME account to take this course.

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