Arrhythmia Flashcards
What are the two common atrial arrhythmias?
atrial fibrillation
atrial flutter
Describe atrial fibrillation.
electrical impulses generated from multiple locations
electrical activity is chaotic
atrial walls quiver rather than contract
EF is reduced
without treatment ventricular rate is elevated
Describe atrial flutter.
electrical activity in atria is coordinated
atria contract but at very rapid rate (250-350x/min)
rate is too fast to allow each impulse to conduct through AV node
generally about every 2nd beat gets through
What is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia?
atrial fibrillation
What kind of arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation?
supraventricular arrhythmia
-results from continuous and chaotic atrial activity
Is atrial fibrillation life-threatening?
rarely
-associated with impaired QoL and increases risk for stroke and left ventricular dysfunction
Describe the irregular rhythm associated with atrial fibrillation.
atrial rate: 350-600bpm
ventricular rate: 120-180bpm
pulse: irregular
Describe the incidence of atrial fibrillation.
most common sustained rhythm disturbance
prevalence increases with age:
-0.4% of adults <60yrs
-2-5% of adults >60yrs
->6% of adults >80yrs
greater in men
10-30% of HF patients have afib
5% of hospital admissions for cardiac disease are for afib
Describe the morbidity and mortality of atrial fibrillation.
rare acutely life-threatening
impairs functional and HRQOL
1.5-4x increased risk of mortality
-thromboembolic events and ventricular dysfunction
non-anticoagulated pts have 3-5x increased risk of stroke
What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?
fatigue
palpitations
chest pain
dyspnea
dizziness
Describe the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation.
ectopic foci generate electrical impulses
rapid irregular and uncoordinated contractions
because impulses reach the AV node erratically=irregular ventricular rhythm
What are the classifications of atrial fibrillation?
valvular: presence of structural heart disease
non-valvular: absence of mitral valve repair, prosthetic valve or rheumatic mitral valve disease
lone AF: absence of clinical or ECHO findings of other CVD, pulmonary disease, cardiac abnormalities, <60yrs
paroxysmal: >30s but self-terminating within 7 days
persistent: continuous AF >7d but <1yr
longstanding persistent: continuous AF >1yr pursuing rhythm control
permanent: continuous AF not pursuing sinus rhythm control
Differentiate between an AF trigger and AF substrate.
trigger=cause arrhythmia to occur
substrate=make it more likely to occur
-ex: HTN, obesity, age, sex, genetics, remodeling
What should be identified during an investigation for atrial fibrillation?
- risk factors/comorbidities
-HTN, HFrEF, male, tobacco, alcohol, valvular disease - triggers for AF episodes
-alcohol, stimulants, sleep deprivation, stress - reversible causes/AF secondary to
-infection, surgery, alcohol, pharmacologic agents
review family history, prior pharm and non-pharm interventions
date of first attack, duration and frequency, symptoms
What are the routine investigations for atrial fibrillation?
12 lead ECG
ECHO
laboratory investigations
What are some risk factors for atrial fibrillation?
alcohol and tobacco
-limit <1 drink/day, abstinence of both
sleep apnea
-CPAP for mod-severe
weight
-target >10% loss, BMI < 27kg/m2
diabetes
-A1C target < 7%
blood pressure
-target < 130/80, ACEI/ARB preferred
initiate exercise
What is the leading cause of preventable stroke?
atrial fibrillation
-severe strokes
Which classifications of atrial fibrillation have the highest risk of stroke?
persistent
permanent
paroxysmal
What are the goals of therapy in atrial fibrillation?
prevent stroke or systemic thromboembolism
cardiovascular risk reduction
improve symptoms, functional capacity and quality of life
prevent complications (LV dysfunction, falls)
What are the anticipated outcomes when the goals of therapy for atrial fibrillation are achieved?
improvement in survival
reduction in healthcare utilization
Describe the general overview of atrial fibrillation management.
diagnosis
–>identify + treat reversible precipitants
–>assessment of thromboembolic risk (CHADS-65)
–>management of arrhythmia
=risk factor modification
=OAC if at risk of stroke
=rate control or rhythm control
What are stroke risk stratifications such as CHADS used for?
determine the degree of antithrombotic therapy required based on an individuals risk of developing stroke
Describe CHADS2.
C=recent CHF, +1
H=hypertension, +1
A=age 75, +1
D= diabetes, +1
S2=stroke or TIA, +2
Describe CHADS-65.
stroke prevention in non-valvular AF
age > 65 –> OAC
prior stroke/TIA or HTN or HF or DM –> OAC
CAD or PAD –> antiplatelet
none of the above –> no antithrombotic
DOAC preferred over warfarin
Describe stroke prevention in the frail elderly with atrial fibrillation.
OAC recommended
-frail elderly are at higher risk of stroke=benefit from OAC
-DOACS favoured over warfarin
What is the impact of obesity on stroke rates and bleeding rates?
lower stroke rates
higher bleeding rates
Describe DOAC use in obese patients.
BMI < 30:
-use any DOAC as per guidelines
BMI 30-40:
-use any DOAC as per guidelines
BMI 40-49 or weight >120kg:
-use with caution: edoxaban, apixaban
BMI > 50:
-use warfarin
What is the rule of 3 for reducing the dose of apixaban?
consider 2.5mg BID if:
- > 80yrs
- <60kg
-SCr > 133umol/L
Describe dosing of OACs for stroke prevention when CrCl> 50ml/min.
warfarin: dose adjusted for INR 2.0
dabigatran: 150mg BID
rivaroxaban: 20mg daily
apixaban: 5mg BID
edoxaban: 60mg daily
Describe dosing of OACs for stroke prevention when CrCl 30-49ml/min.
warfarin: dose adjusted for INR 2.0-3.0
dabigatran: consider 110mg BID
rivaroxaban: 15mg daily
apixaban: 5mg BID
edoxaban: 30mg daily
Describe dosing of OACs for stroke prevention when CrCl 15-29ml/min or <15ml/min.
warfarin: no data
dabigatran: no data
rivaroxaban: no data
apixaban: no data
edoxaban: no data
What are the practical differences among DOACs?
bioavailability
drug-drug interactions
availability of an antidote
dosing
Describe the bioavailability difference amongst the DOACs.
dabigatran: specific formulation
rivaroxaban: food for complete absorption
Describe the drug interaction differences amongst the DOACs.
dabigatran and edoxaban:
-avoid strong P-gp inhibitors and inducers
apixaban and rivaroxaban:
-avoid strong P-gp and 3A4 inhibitors and inducers
What are the antidotes for DOACs?
dabigatran–>idarucizumab
Xa inhibitors–>andexanet alpha
Which DOACs are dosed BID?
dabigatran
apixaban
Which DOACs are dosed daily?
edoxaban
rivaroxaban (BID in triple therapy)
What are some areas where DOACs dont fit as well or further research is required and clinical judgement is required?
mechanical heart valves and mitral valve stenosis
use of strong P-gp and 3A4 inhibitors/inducers
pregnancy and lactation
extremes of body weight (>120kg, <50kg)
pediatrics
What are some characteristics that increase bleeding risk?
older age
uncontrolled HTN
DM
CrCl < 85ml/min
prior stroke
history of bleeding
anemia
ASA or NSAID use
SSRI/SNRI
benefit of DOAC for stroke prevention>bleeding risk in most cases
What are some strategies to minimize bleeding risk?
co-prescribe PPI
measure and monitor renal function
alcohol abstinence
control BP
correct anemia
discontinue ASA and NSAIDs
provide mobility aids
Do we withhold anticoagulation in stroke prevention based on bleeding risk?
no
-only if bleeding is active or risk is extreme
What are the monitoring parameters for anticoagulation?
adherence
frequency of adverse effects
signs and symptoms of bleeding and bleed risk factors
regular SCr, CrCl, HbB
Describe the acute management for arrhythmia management in atrial fibrillation.
determine if AF is primary or secondary
consider hemodynamic stability
determine whether rate vs rhythm control is appropriate
-no difference in CV outcomes
-new diagnosed AF–>rhythm control decreases CV death and stroke
determine need for hospitalization
determine need for OAC
Differentiate between rate control and rhythm control.
rate control:
-patient remains in atrial fibrillation
-slowing ventricular rate to minimize negative outcomes
rhythm control:
-used in stable patients with recent-onset AF
-early rhythm control can lower risk of stroke and CV death
Describe the approach to rate and rhythm management of paroxysmal AF.
low recurrence burden:
–>observation
–>pill in pocket (AAD)
high recurrence burden:
–>maintenance AAD therapy
Describe the approach to rate and rhythm management of persistent AF.
see slide 50
Describe the theory behind rate control.
AF symptoms due to loss of atrial kick or rapid ventricular rate
if NRS not attainable: control resting and exercise HR
CO and exercise capacity decreased when resting HR >90 & exercise >140
Is there evidence that rate control or rhythm control are superior to one another?
little to none (until recently)
-rate control preferred in permanent AF
-both are recommended initial strategies
What is the general goal of rate control?
reduction in HR >20% with control of symptoms
targets:
-resting HR < 100bpm