AF Flashcards
What are the most common causes of AF? (5 things)
- S – Sepsis
- M - Mitral Valve Pathology
- I – Ischaemia HD
- T - Thyrotoxicosis
- H - HTN
(mrs. SMITH has AF)
What is up with the Atria contraction in AF? (3 things)
- Uncoordinated
- Rapid
- Irregular
Why is the atria contraction clarted in AF?
Disorganised electrical activity overriding normal SA node activity
How is the pathophysiology of AF reflected in a ECG? (4 things)
- Irregular rhythm
- QRS thinning
- P waves missing (lack of coordinated electrical activity)
- Isoelectric baseline missing
What does the disorganised electrical activity in atria in AF also lead to?
Irregular conduction of electrical impulses to ventricles
What does the irregular conduction of electrical impulses to ventricles caused by AF lead to? (4 things)
- Irregularly irregular ventricular contractions
- Tachycardia
- Heart failure bc poor filling of ventricles @ diastole
- Risk of stroke
How can AF cause stroke? (4 steps)
- Uncontrolled organised movement of atria –> thrombus (clot)
- Thrombus mobilizes –> embolus
- Embolus travels from atria –> ventricle –> aorta –> carotid arteries –> brain
- Embolus lodges in cerebral arteries –> ischaemic stroke
Where is the most common site of blood stagnating in the heart?
Left atrium, esp atrial appendage (outpouching ting)
What are the clinical features of AF? (6 things)
- Palpitations
- Usually asymptomatic
- SOB
- Syncope
- Irreg irreg pulse
- Other assoc conditions symptoms (e.g stroke / sepsis)
What are the differentials of an irregularly irregular pulse? (2 things)
- AF
- Ventricular ectopics
How do you differentiate between AF and Ventricular ectopics? (which both have an irreg irreg pulse)
ECG
What diagnosis would a irreg irreg pulse that disappears at high HR (e.g. @ exercise) suggest? (either AF or Ventricular ectopics)
Ventricular ectopics bc they disappear when HR goes over a certain threshold
What are the ECG features of a AF? (4 things)
- Irreg irreg tachycardia rhythm
- QRS thinning
- P waves missing
- Isoelectric baseline missing
What are the principles of treating AF? (2 things)
- Rate / rhythm control
- Anticoag. to prevent stroke
Why is Rate control important in AF?
Bc high rate –> less time for ventricles to fill up –> reduced CO
What is the aim of Rate control in AF?
Get HR under 100 –> extends diastole time for ventricles to fill up
According to NICE, every AF patient should have Rate control as their first line treatment except when? (4 things)
- Cause of AF is reversible
- New onset AF (last 48 hrs)
- AF is causing HF
- Still symptomatic after rate controlled
What are the options for Rate control in AF? (3 things)
- Beta blocker (first line) (atenolol 50-100mg once daily)
- Calcium channel blocker (e.g diltiazem) (don’t give in HF)
- Digoxin (only in sedentary ppl cah needs monitoring + toxicity risk)
Which AF patients should be offered Rhythm control? (4 things)
- Cause of AF is reversible
- New onset AF (last 48 hrs)
- AF is causing HF
- Still symptomatic after rate controlled
(basiclly when they shudnt have rate control)
What is the aim of Rhytm control in AF?
Return patient to Normal Sinus Rhythm