A patient with atrial fibrillation lasting more than 48 hours is stable and requests elective cardioversion. They have not taken anticoagulation. Whic...

Question

A patient with atrial fibrillation lasting more than 48 hours is stable and requests elective cardioversion. They have not taken anticoagulation. Which strategy minimizes embolic risk before a conventional cardioversion pathway?

Accepted Answer

Three weeks of therapeutic anticoagulation before cardioversion

Answer

Aspirin for three weeks before cardioversion

Answer

Clopidogrel for three weeks before cardioversion

Answer

Immediate cardioversion with delayed anticoagulation

Answer

Rate control without peri-cardioversion anticoagulation

Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation — MRCP Part 1 MCQ

A patient with atrial fibrillation lasting more than 48 hours is stable and requests elective cardioversion. They have not taken anticoagulation. Which strategy minimizes embolic risk before a conventional cardioversion pathway?