Management of atrial fibrillation involves a complex set of diagnostic tests, medication regimes, and in many cases, treatment with devices or cardiac ablation. At the Venice Arrhythmia conference in October 2009, I had the opportunity to facilitate a session that asked the question above. Nurses from AFib programs around the world agreed unanimously that patients had improved outcomes if their care was managed by dedicated nurses.

There is nothing “typical” about the average ablation patient – they range from young to older, with symptoms as mild as a sense of lightheadedness to severe, such as losing consciousness or having a stroke. In any phase of their treatment – from early diagnosis through procedures such as ablation – the registered nurse plays a major role in helping the patient understand the condition and its symptoms, and in monitoring the patient’s condition.

Before diagnosis is confirmed, the nurse can educate the patient on the importance of seeking medical care if symptoms arise. By describing how AFib can lead to stroke, patients become motivated to learn if they have an arrhythmia.

When a diagnosis is confirmed, the nurse serves as a liaison between patient and physician, explaining the anatomy of the heart and how a specific arrhythmia is triggered, as well as helping the patient understand treatment options.

If an ablation is scheduled, the nurse can assure that the patient fully understands the importance of following the prescribed medical regime prior to and following the procedure. After an ablation, the nurse is a critical member of the care team, providing education on the healing process (and the fact that arrhythmias will occur while the heart tissue heals), and staying abreast of potential complications by regularly communicating with the patient and assuring that his or her heart rate is monitored as needed.

Are the post-procedure symptoms a normal part of healing or do they signal a potentially serious complication?

Is the patient reacting as expected, or is he or she experiencing an unusual reaction?

Do the symptoms warrant a trip to the ER or should the patient simply transmit a monitoring strip?

These questions and more, answered by the experienced electrophysiology nurse, can reassure the patient that his or her healing is progressing as planned, or that medical attention is required. I strongly believe that in electrophysiology, as in many other forms of medicine, a dose of nurse education is a healthy step toward a positive outcome.

Barbara Thomas, RN is the Director of Electrophysiology Services at the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas.