AF

Question 1

What is AF?

Answer 1

A tachydysrythmia where there is uncoordinated atrial activity

Question 2

Paroxysmal AF is

Answer 2

AF terminates spontaneously within 7 days of onset (often 48hrs)

Question 3

What is persistent AF?

Answer 3

AF present for 7 days or more, terminated by cardioversion

Question 4

Permanent AF

Answer 4

AF which is accepted without attempted cardioversion or cannot be terminated

Question 5

What might trigger episodes in AF?

Answer 5

Ectopic activity at or near the pulmonary vein ostia in left atrium

Question 6

Why does AF cause a prothrombin state?

Answer 6

1. Structural & functional changes along with blood stasis.2. Damage to the myocardium causes expression of prothrombic factors on the endothelial surface of the atria, activation of platelets and inflammatory cells leads to clot formation. Even short episodes increase risk