A-Fib

Question 1

What is A-fib

Answer 1

Electrical impulse from SA node are overwhelmed by disorganized electrical impulses usually originating in the roots of the pulmonary veins. This irregular conduction of the ventricular impulse that generate the heartbeat.

Atrial fibrosis due to atrial dilation. Dilation of the atria can be due to almost any structural abnormality of the heart that can cause a rise in the pressure within the heart.

Question 2

EKG of A-Fib

Answer 2

Irregularly irregular, no distinct p-waves

Question 3

Causes of A-fib

Answer 3

Atrial fibrosis due to atrial dilation. Dilation of the atria can be due to almost any structural abnormality of the heart that can cause a rise in the pressure
within the heart.

Diseased atrial tissue or inflamed atrial tissue (surgery)
enlarged atria (hypertension, valve disease, lung disease)

Question 4

Risk for stroke

Answer 4

When atria is not pumping, it is spasms. Blood pools (statis) then clots. Potentially leading to an embolus that travels to the brain.

If patient is not adequately anticoagulated then they run he risk of throwing a clot after cardioversion.

Question 5

CCB->AF

Answer 5

CCB slow down the conduction of electrical activity within the heart. Reduce contraction of the arteries and cause an increase in arterial diameter (vasodilation)

Question 6

BB->AF

Answer 6

BB reduce the sinus rate by blocking the activity of catecholamines at beta-1-receptors in the SA node therefore lowering heart rate and increasing the length of diastole and decreasing myocardial oxygen demand.

Question 7

Digoxin->AF

Answer 7

Slows the rate at which electrical currents are conducted from the atria to the ventricle.