If a patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation prefers oral medication post-acute treatment, which of the following is most appropriate?

Study for the Board Certified Cardiology Pharmacist Exam. Utilize flashcards and answer multiple-choice questions with detailed explanations. Prepare efficiently for your certification!

In managing a patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who prefers oral medication following acute treatment, metoprolol represents the most appropriate choice. This is due to its dual role as both an antiarrhythmic agent and a beta-blocker, which effectively reduces heart rate and helps manage ventricular rate control in atrial fibrillation.

Metoprolol, as a selective beta-1 adrenergic antagonist, is particularly useful in patients who may also have cardiovascular comorbidities such as hypertension or heart failure. In paroxysmal atrial fibrillation cases, controlling heart rate is critical to prevent potential complications. Metoprolol not only provides rate control but also aids in reducing the risk of recurrence of atrial fibrillation by promoting overall cardiac stability.

While propafenone and sotalol are effective antiarrhythmics used in atrial fibrillation, they may have a higher risk of pro-arrhythmia and require careful monitoring and patient selection, particularly in patients with structural heart disease. Digoxin, although useful for rate control, particularly in patients with heart failure, is generally not the first-line agent for rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation without heart failure due to its slower onset of action and less

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