biostudies-literatureJohnston BWNational Institute for Health Research (NIHR)242https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6816145biostudies-literatureUnknown8(1)<h4>Background</h4>New onset atrial fibrillation is the most commonly encountered arrhythmia in critically unwell patients with a reported incidence of 4% to 29%. The occurrence of new onset atrial fibrillation may precipitate acute heart failure and lead to thromboembolic complications as well as being associated with increased in-hospital and in intensive care unit (ICU) mortality. Despite being common, much of our current knowledge regarding the treatment of new onset atrial fibrillation comes from patients with chronic atrial fibrillation or post cardiac surgery. It is unclear if management strategies in these patient cohorts can be applied to new onset atrial fibrillation in the general ICU. This protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis aims to address this uncertainSystematic reviewsProtocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis of the management of new onset atrial fibrillation in critically unwell adult patients.PMC6816145ACF-2017-07-007Welters IDBlackwood BHill RJohnston BWPace NMcAuley DFChean CSDuarte RfalseProtocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis of the management of new onset atrial fibrillation in critically unwell adult patients.<h4>Background</h4>New onset atrial fibrillation is the most commonly encountered arrhythmia in critically unwell patients with a reported incidence of 4% to 29%. The occurrence of new onset atrial fibrillation may precipitate acute heart failure and lead to thromboembolic complications as well as being associated with increased in-hospital and in intensive care unit (ICU) mortality. Despite being common, much of our current knowledge regarding the treatment of new onset atrial fibrillation comes from patients with chronic atrial fibrillation or post cardiac surgery. It is unclear if management strategies in these patient cohorts can be applied to new onset atrial fibrillation in the general ICU. This protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis aims to address this uncertain2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Oct2025-04-05T13:18:39.08Z2019-11-07T08:08:04ZS-EPMC68161453166102210.1186/s13643-019-1149-7