AF

Question 0

Irregular heart rhythm in patients with AF can cause …

Answer 0

An increase risk of blood clots forming in the left atria, which can detach and lodge in distant blood vessels leading to stroke and systemic embolism.

Question 1

AF

Answer 1

Heart condition which results in arrhythmia and ineffective pumping of the blood

Question 2

Compare normal sinus rhythm to AF

Answer 2

NSR = HR- 60-100bpm, regular rhythm and coordinated and effective contraction 
AF = HR- 40-200bpm, irregular rhythm, and chaotic and ineffective contraction

Question 3

ACC/AHA/ESC definitions

Answer 3

First directed - first recognised episode of AF
Recurrent (>2 episodes)
Paroxysmal - AF that terminates spontaneously (7 days
Permanent - AF that cannot be terminated by cardioversion and long standing (>1 yr )

Question 4

Other classifications of AF

Answer 4

Lone and primary- no clinical ECG
Secondary - associated with cardiopulmonary disease
Non-valvular - not associated with damage to heart valve
Valvular - associated with damage to the heart valves

Question 5

Most common causes of AF

Answer 5

Ischemic heart disease
Hypertension
Mitral stenosis
Hyperthyroidism

Question 6

How are arrhythmias classified?

Answer 6

Fast - beats more then 100 times per minute

Slow - beats less then 50 times per minute

Question 7

Most common sign and system of AF

Answer 7

Palpitations

Question 8

Other symptoms of AF

Answer 8

Dizziness, fainting, fatigue, breathlessness, cheats pain

Question 9

Risk factors of AF

Answer 9

Age - increases with age 
Heart disease 
Hypertension
Thyroid disease 
COPD
Excessive alcohol intake 
Family history of AF

Question 10

Stoke and AF

Answer 10

AF increases the risk of stroke by approximately five times

Question 11

Ischaemic stroke

Answer 11

Most common type of Stoke
Occurs when blood supply to the brain is blocked, for example by a blood clot.
Most stokes on patients with non- valvular AF are cardioembolic in origin as AF causes blood to pool and clot in the poorly contracting atria.

Question 12

Haemorrhagic stroke

Answer 12

Occurs when blood vessels in the brain breaks or bursts and results in bleeding within the brain tissue.
Can lead to brain damage
Not genially associated with AF unless hypertension is underlying or haemorrhage occurs as result from therapy of AF

Question 13

Stroke is the … Leading cause of death in auz

Answer 13

2nd

Question 14

In 2010 Australians will suffer … New and recurrent strokes

Answer 14

60,000

Question 15

How many Australians will have a stroke at some point in their lifetime

Answer 15

346,700

Question 16

Estimated that AF is responsible for … Of all strokes

Answer 16

10-15%

Question 17

AF is an independent risk factor for stroke and across all AF patients there is approximately …. Increase risk of stroke

Answer 17

5 fold increase

Question 18

Risk factor of stroke in order

Answer 18

Valvular AF - 15-20%
Non- valvular AF - 2-18% 
Transient ischaemic attach - 5-7%
Previous stroke - 4-5%
Hypertension - 2-3%
Smoking, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease - 1-2%

Question 19

Prevalence of AF in Australia

Answer 19

1-2%, over 240,000 ppl who suffer from AF

Question 20

Annual cost to Australian economy

Answer 20

2008-09 1.25 billion per Annum