Atrial fibrillation Flashcards
what is the most common systained arrhythmia in the US?
atrial fibrillation
what is the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation?
atrial enlargement ischemia toxins metabolic disease hemodynamic impairment
atrial fibrillation is often precipitated by what cardiac event?
supraventricular premature
what are the classifications of atrial fibrillation?
paroxysmal AF
persistent AF
permanent AF
lone AF
paroxysmal AF
episodes may last 1-7 days
may be recurrent
persistent AF
not self limited, lasts for longer than 7 days
called paroxysmal when recurrent after reversion
permanent AF
lasts over a year
cardioversion either failed or not attempted
lone AF
no overt CV pathology
asymptomatic
comprises 10-15% of all AF
episodes may last 1-7 days
may be recurrent
paroxysmal AF
not self limited, lasts for longer than 7 days
called paroxysmal when recurrent after reversion
persistent AF
lasts over a year
cardioversion either failed or not attempted
permanent AF
no overt CV pathology
asymptomatic
comprises 10-15% of all AF
lone AF
what toxin can cause AF?
alcohol
what are the ECG characteristics of AF?
irregularly irregular
no P waves
fibrillatory f waves
when is anticoagulation indicated for AF?
either rate or rhythm control
at least three weeks prior to, during, and at least four weeks after cardioversion for AF over 48 hours
