Atrial Fibrillation: Difference between revisions

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During atrial fibrillation the atria show chaotic depolarisation with multiple foci. Mechanically the atria stop contracting after several days to weeks of atrial fibrillation, the result of the ultra-rapid depolarisations that occur in the atria, typically around 400 bpm, but up to 600 bpm. At the AV node 'every now and then' a beat is conducted to the ventricles, resulting in an irregular ventricular rate, which is the typical ECG characteristic of atrial fibrillation. Sometimes atrial fibrillation results in a course atrial flutter wave on the ECG, but the baseline can also be flat. A flat baseline is more often seen in long standing atrial fibrillation. The cardiac stroke volume is reduced by 10-20% during atrial fibrillation, as the 'atrial kick' is missing and because the heart does not have time to fill at the often higher ventricular rate. Causes; age (+- 10% of 70+ year olds and 15% of 90+ year olds have AFIB <cite>kelley</cite>), ischemia, hyperthyreoidism, alcohol abuse.
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Risc: thrombo-embolisation of thrombi that form in the atrial caverns as a result of the reduced atrial motion. These thrombi can emblise to the brain and cause strokes.
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During atrial fibrillation the atria show chaotic depolarisation with multiple foci. Mechanically the atria stop contracting after several days to weeks of atrial fibrillation, the result of the ultra-rapid depolarisations that occur in the atria, typically around 400 bpm, but up to 600 bpm. At the AV node 'every now and then' a beat is conducted to the ventricles, resulting in an irregular ventricular rate, which is the typical ECG characteristic of atrial fibrillation. Sometimes atrial fibrillation results in a course atrial flutter wave on the ECG, but the baseline can also be flat. A flat baseline is more often seen in long standing atrial fibrillation. The cardiac stroke volume is reduced by 10-20% during atrial fibrillation, as the 'atrial kick' is missing and because the heart does not have time to fill at the often higher ventricular rate.  
'''Causes''' age (+- 10% of 70+ year olds and 15% of 90+ year olds have AFIB <cite>kelley</cite>), ischemia, hyperthyreoidism, alcohol abuse.


'''Atrial fibrillation can be catechorized as follows:'''
'''Atrial fibrillation can be catechorized as follows:'''
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''Non-valvular atrial fibrillation'' is atrial fibrillation in patients without heart valve disease or heart valve replacement or repair. <cite>ESCAF</cite>
''Non-valvular atrial fibrillation'' is atrial fibrillation in patients without heart valve disease or heart valve replacement or repair. <cite>ESCAF</cite>
'''Treatment strategies include:'''<cite>RACE</cite><cite>PIAF</cite><cite>STAF</cite>
*''Rate control:'' accept atrial fibrillation and focus on symptom relief and prevention of tachycardias. Typically with beta-blockers and digoxin. Target rate is < 100 bpm.
*''Rhythm control:'' trying to keep the patient in normal sinus rhythm. Typically with anti-arrhythmics like amiodarone, flecainide, and sotalol, or electrical cardioversion, or with radiofrequency catheter ablation.
In both cases anti-coagulants are needed to prevent embolic stroke.


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Image:afib_f_VR_ecg.jpg|Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate
Image:afib_f_VR_ecg.jpg|Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate
Image:afib_detail.jpg|Detail of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate
Image:afib_detail.jpg|Detail of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate
Image:cardioversion_from_afib.jpg|thumb| Atrial fibrillation electrically cardioverted into sinusrhythm
Image:cardioversion_from_afib.jpg|Atrial fibrillation electrically cardioverted into sinusrhythm
Image:afib_V1.png|atrial fibrillation with marked organization in V1 (which is close to the right atrial appendage), this is not atrial flutter.
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#ESCAF pmid=16885201
#ESCAF pmid=16885201
#kelley pmid=17126661
#kelley pmid=17126661
#RACE pmid=12466507
#PIAF pmid=11117910
#STAF pmid=12767648
</biblio>
</biblio>
==External Links==
==External Links==
[[w:Atrial Fibrillation|Wikipedia: Atrial Fibrillation]]
[[w:Atrial Fibrillation|Wikipedia: Atrial Fibrillation]]