Final answer:
To manage A-fib with rapid ventricular response, first-line treatments include beta blockers and calcium channel blockers, which regulate heart rate and rhythm. In more severe cases, electrical cardioversion or an external automated defibrillator might be used.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first line agents for managing atrial fibrillation (A-fib) with rapid ventricular response typically include beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Both classes of medications can be effective in controlling the heart rate during an A-fib episode. Beta blockers, such as propranolol, work by reducing the effects of adrenaline on the heart, thereby decreasing the heart rate. This can help to relieve symptoms associated with A-fib, such as palpitations and shortness of breath.
Calcium channel blockers, including drugs like diltiazem and verapamil, act by reducing the strength of the heart's contractions and suppressing abnormal electrical activity. This helps to restore a more regular and slower heart rate. In certain clinical situations, if the patient does not respond to medication therapy, a procedure like electrical cardioversion or the use of an external automated defibrillator (EAD) might be considered to convert A-fib to a normal sinus rhythm.