Atrial Fibrillation Flashcards
Atrial fibrillation is described as a: ______
Cardiac dysrhythmia
Is there an irregular rhythm or irregular rate with Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular rhythm
There may or may not be an irregular rate with atrial fibrillation
What is happening with electrical impulses during atrial fibrillation?
Ectopic/Random impulses are rapidly firing at once within the atria and take over the SA node
Atria over rides the SA node as the pacemaker
Atrial rate chaotic and rapid
Why is the ventricular rate usually regular with atrial fibrillation?
The AV node blocks most of the ectopic/random impulses sent by the atria
Ventricular rate then has the ability to be regular (between 60-100 bpm)
What type of action is occurring within the atria during atrial fibrillation?
The atria is quivering/fibrillating due to the rapid and chaotic rate from ectopic impulses
Due to the quivering/fibrillating, the atria cannot complete the diastole and systole phases completely
What happens with blood flow in the atria during atrial fibrillation?
Blood remains in the atrial chambers because it is unable to empty out (Due to quivering/fibrillating)
Blood stasis within the atria results in increased risk for developing a thrombus
Increased risk for developing a stroke
What is the medical term for stroke?
Cerebrovascular Attack (CVA)
What are the signs and symptoms of a Cerebrovascular Attack?
Hemiplegia
Hemiparesis
Facial drooping
Slurred Speech
Does the heart rate stay consistent when a patient is in atrial fibrillation? Or does it jump around?
It jumps around and fluctuates about 20-30 beats per minute.
List the risk factors for developing atrial fibrillation
Older age (65 y/o or greater) Smoker Heart valve disease Heart failure Hypertension Surgery Medications
List the signs and symptoms of atrial fibrillation
The patient may be asymptomatic If symptoms are present, they may include: Heart palpitation Faint/Weak radial pulses Fatigue Weakness SOB
What is the goal of treatment for atrial fibrillation?
To control both heart rate and heart rhythm
To prevent a thrombus from forming
To prevent a stoke
What medication drug classes can be prescribed either individually or together to control and/or treat Atrial Fibrillation?
Beta Blocker
Calcium Channel Blocker
Antidysrhythmic Agent
Anticoagulant or Anti-platelet
What anticoagulants might a patient be on if they have a history of Atrial Fibrillation?
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Apixaban (Eliquis)
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
What antiplatelets might a patient be on if they have a history of Atrial Fibrillation?
Aspirin Clopidogrel (Plavix)
