How to deal with patients with atrial fibrillation during an epidemic?

Abstract

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) due to old age and comorbidities are at a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. These patients should protect themselves by limiting contact with other people to an absolute minimum and they should be educated about hygiene, including careful hand washing. In general, the principles of antiarrhythmic drug treatment of quarantined, infected and asymptomatic individuals remain unchanged. In the hospital setting it is important to remember about possible interactions between anticoagulants, antibiotics, antiarrhythmic, antiviral and antimalarial drugs. The current pandemic also led to limitations regarding the implantation and control of implantable devices to an absolute minimum.