Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia. During AF, the normal electrical currents that start at the sinoatrial node and travel throughout the heart to make it pump are replaced by a chaotic rhythm in the atria, the top chambers of the heart. This results in rapid, irregular heart beats, and the atria do not completely pump blood into the ventricles. AF can last for a couple minutes, a couple weeks, or it could be chronic.
The risk of having AF increases with age. Also, having AF increases the risk of stroke because the blood that is not being pumped into the ventricles could clot.
PROFESSIONALS CORNER FOCUS OF THE MONTH
Focus of the Month - Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia.
Chronic management revolves around:
anticoagulation
ventricular rate control
Acute management is usually directed at the patient and not the rhythm specifically.
