A- Fib Flashcards
A- Fib
Sx
- palpitations
- SOB
A- Fib
Signs
- Irregularly irregular pulse
- pulse deficit
A- Fib
SA node
SA discharge at a higher frequency compared to other (AV node, his bundle…) so the rest do not depolarize and suppressed.
A- Fib
Why doesn’t A Fib affect the ventricles
In AF, when the conduction system is stretched, in addition to SA, multiple points of atria will discharge. Now the atria will discharge at around 300. Then the ventricles will depolarize at 300. BUT THIS DOESN”T HAPPEN. The only way to go from atria to ventricle is through the AV node. It acts as a gate. This gate has an inherent delay. There’s an inborn delay. Eventhought 300 comes to AV from SA, it will only allow ~150.
A- Fib
Causes of A- Fib
- MS
- MR
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Cardiomyopathy
- Alcohol
- Lone AF
A- Fib
Lone AF
no cause for AF
A- Fib
Types
- Paroxysmal- disappear after sometime
- Persistent- >7 days
- Permanent
A- Fib
Ix
- ECG
- Echo
- SE
- Thyroid function test
- CXR
A- Fib
ECG findings
- fine oscillation of base line
- fibrillation waves ( f waves)
- no clear P waves
- irregular RR interval
A- Fib
pulse dificit
count the PR by auscultating the heart and count by hand too
A- Fib
complications
- Embolic phenomenon
- Pulmonary edema
A- Fib
Embolic phenomenon
No proper atrial contractions. Blood stasis in atra.
Thrombus forms which may embolise.
A- Fib
Pulmonary edema
Increased HR
Increased atrial pressure
Increased back pressure
Fluid exudation
