A pre-hospital team is managing a 70-year-old male who has acute-onset atrial fibrillation with a ventricular rate of 160 bpm. He has mild breathlessn...

Question

A pre-hospital team is managing a 70-year-old male who has acute-onset atrial fibrillation with a ventricular rate of 160 bpm. He has mild breathlessness but no chest pain, syncope, or signs of heart failure. His blood pressure is 130/85 mmHg. Per the RCUK 2025 tachycardia algorithm, what is the appropriate management?

Accepted Answer

Rate control - this is a stable patient with no adverse features; administer IV beta-blocker (metoprolol) or IV diltiazem or IV digoxin; cardioversion is not immediately required

Answer

IV flecainide 150 mg over 30 minutes

Answer

IV adenosine 6 mg rapid bolus

Answer

Immediate synchronised DC cardioversion

Answer

IV amiodarone 300 mg as a bolus

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Stable AF - Rate Control