3. Atrial Fibrillation Flashcards
1
Q
How common is it?
A
Most common heart rhythm disturbance
1 million in UK
2
Q
Who does it affect?
A
M>F
Can occur at any age but >65s more commonly
3
Q
What causes it?
A
Changes to heart muscle cells and electrical pacing occur as a result of risk factors and ageing
Heart pumps irregularly and therefore ineffectively
4
Q
What risk factors are there?
A
HTN
Atherosclerosis
Heart valve disease
5
Q
Which other conditions might present similarly?
A
Atrial flutter
6
Q
How would you investigate?
A
CXR (
7
Q
Which other conditions might present similarly?
A
Atrial flutter
VF
VT
Sinus tachycardia
8
Q
How would you investigate?
A
CXR ECG EPS / loop recorder TOE Stress test
9
Q
What treatments are there?
A
Lifestyle - stress management, exercise, healthy diet Beta-blockers Blood thinners Calcium channel blockers Digoxin Ablation, cardioversion
10
Q
What complications are there?
A
Stroke Heart failure Dementia MI Cardiac arrest
