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Updated: May 20, 2026
Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
[Managing the atrial fibrillation process: an integral approach]
F Palacio Lapuente1, M Hernandez Galindo, C Amezqueta Goñi
1CdS Ondarreta, Comarca Guipúzcoa, Osakidetza, País Vasco, Spain. fpalacio2001@gmail.com
Insights
Primary care physicians can manage atrial fibrillation (AF). Essential changes include improved organization, training, and inter-specialty communication for optimal AF patient care.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology and Primary Care Medicine
Context:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) management requires optimization.
- Current AF management practices in daily healthcare settings were evaluated.
Purpose:
- To define an optimal AF management process involving healthcare professionals and patients.
- To assess current AF management in practice.
- To identify necessary changes for aligning practice with optimal care.
Summary:
- A 3-phase study utilized consensus techniques, FMEA, focus groups, questionnaires, and nominal groups.
- Involved primary care physicians, cardiologists, and patients.
- Identified key factors for effective AF management: training, inter-specialty cooperation, motivation, nursing collaboration, and organizational adjustments.
Impact:
- Findings indicate that Primary Care can manage atrial fibrillation (AF).
- Significant organizational changes, enhanced training, and improved communication between care levels are crucial for effective AF management.
Objectives:
The study was developed in 3 phases, with the following aims: To define the most appropriate management process for atrial fibrillation (AF) from the point of view of the health professionals and the patients. To determine how it is managed in daily practice. To identify the changes required in order that this daily practice may come closer to that of an appropriate management process.
Design:
1st phase: consensus techniques were used, as well as a failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), and a focus group with patients. 2nd phase: included a questionnaire. 3rd phase: 3 nominal groups and 3 focus groups were formed.
Setting:
Primary Care and Cardiology.
Participants:
Family doctors, cardiologists, and patients, in the first phase, and family doctors in the second and third phases.
Main Measurements:
1st phase: a flow diagram was designed with its explanatory notes on the correct care process for AF. 2nd phase: how AF was managed in current practice. 3rd phase: barriers for using the correct care process were identified, and proposals for their improvement were defined.
Results:
Almost 40% of the family doctors were involved in the diagnosis and treatment of their patients with FA. Training, cooperation between specialties, motivation, working in a team with nursing, and organisational changes were identified as essential factors for a proper management process.
Conclusions:
AF can be managed from Primary Care. To do this, important changes are required in the care organisation. Training, along with support and communication between care levels are also seen as necessary.
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