For Medical Professionals

Referrals may be considered when the following are present:

• Younger patients with new or recently diagnosed AFib
• Paroxysmal AFib or atrial flutter with an uncontrolled rate, significant symptomatic episodes or syncopal attacks attributed to AFib Early referral is encouraged before paroxysmal AFib transforms to a persistent state and to avoid complications
• Refractory AFib or intolerant to first-line medication therapy for rate control
• Initiation, monitoring, or titrating of antiarrhythmics, especially membrane active antiarrhythmic agents (e.g., sotalol, amiodarone, dofetilide), the latter of which require careful management
• On-going limiting symptoms despite adequate rate control
• AFib with history of or high risk for embolic stroke (CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 2) and with high bleeding risk (HASBLED score ≥ 3)
• Antithrombotic treatment is problematic or contraindicated
• AFib with significant atherosclerotic heart disease including heart failure or myocardial infarction, or with multiple risk factors for heart disease and/or other complex comorbidities
• ECG in sinus rhythm suggesting an electrophysiological disorder (e.g. short PR interval/delta wave)
• AFib with new or underlying structural heart disease
• AFib with suspected valve disease
• Management of medical therapy for AFib in the periprocedural setting
• Other symptomatic tachy or brady arrhythmias

In the AFib Clinic at Parkview Heart Institute, patients experience:

• Evaluation by an electrophysiology specialist
• Advanced diagnostic capabilities, treatment and recovery, all in one location
• Access to hybrid cath labs, designed for multi-disciplinary teams to perform complex and advanced procedures
• Personalized patient care by the AFib Clinic team, overseen by a dedicated AFib coordinator

Many treatment options and strategies are available at the AFib Clinic at Parkview Heart Institute, including advanced treatments that address both correction of arrhythmia, management of symptoms and reduction of AF-related risk of stroke.

Based on the patient’s current condition and history, appropriate options may include pharmacologic to catheter-based therapies, as well as possible referral for device or surgical treatment. At the AFib Clinic, our care team also provides thorough patient education which supports successful management of the patient’s overall condition, lifestyle, medications and side effects, and anticoagulation management, as appropriate.

When optimal management for AFib is achieved and a care plan is established by the AFib Clinic, patients are typically referred back to their primary care physician for ongoing maintenance, management and follow up.

When you refer patients to the AFib Clinic at the Parkview Heart Institute, they will be under the supervision of the AFib Clinic care team.