2023 Atrial Fibrillation Guideline Update: What Every Pharmacist Needs to Know

Saturday, November 1, 2025, 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM CT, Searcy, AR

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) remains the most common sustained arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice, with significant implications for stroke risk, heart failure, and quality of life. The 2023 American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines introduced important updates that expand the role of outpatient and community-based care, particularly in lifestyle and risk factor management. Pharmacists—especially those in ambulatory and community settings—are uniquely positioned to identify at-risk patients, optimize anticoagulation therapy, and counsel on modifiable lifestyle factors such as weight reduction, alcohol moderation, sleep hygiene, and physical activity. This interactive continuing education session will review the key differences between the 2014, 2019, and 2023 guidelines, with a focus on the expanded role of pharmacists in patient-centered management. Participants will engage in case-based discussions to apply updated recommendations, evaluate patient scenarios for appropriate anticoagulant use, and practice counseling strategies that empower patients to adopt evidence-based lifestyle changes. By the end of the session, pharmacists will be able to integrate the latest AFib guideline updates into their daily practice, bridging gaps between evidence and patient care. This session will equip attendees with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve outcomes for patients living with atrial fibrillation through both clinical decision support and effective lifestyle counseling.

ACPE Credit Designation Statement

These knowledge-based activities will provide pharmacists up to 1.25 contact hours or 0.125 CEU.  CE credit information, based on verification of live attendance and completion of the program evaluation, will be provided to NABP within 60 days after the activity completion. 

1. Describe key updates in the 2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS atrial fibrillation guidelines related to outpatient and community-based management.
2. Identify patients who may benefit from lifestyle interventions based on current Afib guideline recommendations.
3. Demonstrate effective patient counseling strategies for lifestyle modification, including weight management, alcohol use, and sleep hygiene, in the context of Afib management.

ACPE - Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (1.25 hours), ACPE - Pharmacy Technician (1.25 hours)

In support of improving patient care, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Office of Continuing Education adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.