atrial fibrillation/ arrhythmias Flashcards
what classifies paroxysmal AF?
episodes stop within 48 hrs with treatment
what classifies persistent AF?
episodes last more than 7 days
what classifies permanent AF?
present at all times
shockable rhythms?
ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation
2 non-shockable rhythms?
pulseless electrical activity
asystole
acronym for causes of arrhythmias?
SMITH
Sepsis
Mitral pathology
Ischaemic heart disease
Thyrotoxicosis (hyperthyroidism)
Hypertension
2 main aims of management?
rate/rhythm control
anticoagulation
when to use rhythm control?
cannot tolerate or contraindicated in rate control
drugs for rate control?
beta blockers
non-dihydropyridine CCB (diltiazem)
cardiac glycoside (digoxin)
drugs for rhythm control?
flecainide
amiodarone
type of anticoagulants used?
direct acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs)
vitamin K antagonists
heparins
what to consider before using anticoagulants?
CHADS-VASC and ORBIT score
what are pro arrhythmias?
drug-induced arrhythmias
What is AF?
irregularly irregular pulse due to disorganised electrical activity in atria (fibrillation)
effects of AF?
tachycardia
irregular pulse
HF due to impaired filling of ventricles in diastole
increased risk of stroke
mechanism of action of DOACs (excluding dabigatran)?
direct and reversible inhibitors of factor Xa to prevent thrombin formation
mechanism of action dabigatran?
reversible inhibitor of free thrombin, fibrin-bound thrombin, and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation
