AF and anticoagulation Flashcards
AF on ECG
irregulary irregular, no P waves, narrow QRS if tachycaridc
PC AF
Can be asymptomatic
SOB, palpitations, dizziness/collapse, oedema and fatigue
Causes of AF
Cardiac - MS,AS, pre excitation (WPW), HTN, IHD, Heart failure, cardiomyopathy
Non cardiac - thyrotoxicosis, infection, PE, alcohol, caffeine, cocaine, electrolyte abnormalites
Paroxysmal AF
Terminates spontaneously or with intervention within 7 days
Permenant AF
Refractory to cardioversion
Acute AF
<48hrs can present with haemodynamic instability needs immediate cardioversion
Persistant AF
Continuously lasting over 7 days
Pathogensis of AF
Disorganised atrial foci lead to rapid fibrillation of the atrial compromising filling time. Dilated atria due to HF, valve defects potentiates the problem. The turbulent inefficient blood flow can lead to thrombus formation and haemodynamic instability
Mx Acute AF haemodynamically unstable
LMWH to anticoagulate. DC cardioversion
Mx Acute AF haemodynamically stable
< 48hrs = rate vs rhythm control
>48hrs = anticoagulant and rate control
Rhythm control acute AF
Echo to determine structural heart disease
- No structural problem = IV flecanide
- Structural disease = IV amiodarone
Rhythm control for those
< 65 y/o
1st episode of AF due to reversible cause
Symptomatic HF
Complications of AF if untreated
Rate related cardiomyopathy
Acute HF - pul oedema/shock
Thromboembolic disease - stroke, acute limb ischemia
CHA2DS2VASc
Stratification of stroke risk
Congestive HF = 1 HTN = 1 Age > 75 = 2 Diabetes = 1 Stroke/TIA = 2 Vascular disease = 1 Age (64-74) = 1 Sex (female) = 1
Mx according to CHA2DS2VASc
> 2 = DOAC
> 1 = DOAC above aspirin (only treat males)
HAS-BLED
Risk of bleeding
HTN = 1
Abnormal renal/liver =1-2
Stroke =1
Bleeding Hx= 1
Labile INR= 1
Elderly >75 = 1
Drugs (alcohol/anticoag) = 1-2
HAS-BLED vs CHA2DS2VASc
Crucial to weigh up risk of bleeding with risk of embolic event
Risk factors for recurrent AF
Hx of failed cardioversion
Structural heart disease
Previous AF recurrence
Cardioversion in those with AF >48hrs
Anticoagulation for 3 weeks prior and 4 weeks post procedure