Atrial fibrillation is a common type of heart rhythm disorder characterized by irregular electrical signals in the atria, leading to their quivering or fibrillation. This can cause the heart rate to increase rapidly, resulting in a condition known as tachyarrhythmia. The condition can be characterized as either paroxysmal, lasting for less than seven days, or persistent, lasting more than seven days.
The irregular rhythm caused by atrial fibrillation can lead to unstable blood flow in the heart, increasing the likelihood of thrombus formation. If a blood clot forms, it can potentially dislodge and cause a stroke. Atrial fibrillation is the primary cardiac cause of stroke, and patients with the condition are at a greater risk of developing other cardiovascular complications, such as heart failure and cardiovascular death.
While atrial fibrillation may be a chronic condition, multiple treatments, and risk modification strategies have been developed to help reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Additionally, lifestyle modifications such as reducing alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and engaging in regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of developing atrial fibrillation and related complications.
Epidemiology
Atrial fibrillation is a cardiac rhythm disorder encountered commonly and is on the rise worldwide. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation is known to increase with age, and it has been predicted that the number of individuals affected by this condition will significantly increase by the year 2050. Although atrial fibrillation affects approximately 1% of the global population, it is more commonly seen in individuals over 75, where its prevalence leaps to about 9%.
Furthermore, the lifetime risk of developing atrial fibrillation is about 22% at 80. The condition is more prevalent in males than females, and whites are more likely to develop it than blacks. Atrial fibrillation is characterized by an irregular heartbeat that can cause palpitations, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and dizziness. It can also increase the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications.
Anatomy
Pathophysiology
Atrial fibrillation is a prevalent arrhythmia characterized by disorganized and rapid electrical activity in the atria, often associated with various underlying cardiovascular diseases. Structural remodeling, caused by alterations in myocytes and the extracellular matrix, is the main contributor to the development of AF.
Electrical remodeling, related to tachycardia and shortening of the refractory period, also plays a significant role. Although some genetic causes have been identified, most AF cases are triggered by an ectopic focus in the atria, leading to the unsynchronized firing of electrical impulses and subsequent fibrillation.
The irregular impulses and variable pulse rates in AF can impair blood flow through the heart chamber and increase the risk of thrombus formation, especially in the left atrial appendage, potentially causing severe complications such as stroke, heart failure, and death.
Etiology
Atrial fibrillation is a cardiac arrhythmia that can have various causes, strongly associated with other cardiovascular diseases. The development of AF is commonly associated with advanced age, congenital heart disease, and underlying heart diseases such as valvular disease, atrial ischemia, and coronary artery disease.
Other factors that may contribute to AF include increased alcohol consumption, hypertension, endocrine disorders such as pheochromocytoma, diabetes and hyperthyroidism, genetic factors, neurologic disorders such as subarachnoid hemorrhage or stroke, hemodynamic stress, obstructive sleep apnea, and inflammation due to conditions such as myocarditis and pericarditis.
Essentially, any condition that affects the anatomy of the heart by inducing inflammation, stress, damage, or ischemia can result in the development of AF. In some cases, the cause of AF can be iatrogenic.
Genetics
Prognostic Factors
Atrial fibrillation poses a significant risk of thromboembolism and mortality. Patients with AF frequently experience hospitalizations and complications related to anticoagulation throughout their lives.
The risk of stroke is constant, and the quality of life for patients is generally low. Additionally, the management of AF is expensive, with patients bearing the majority of the financial burden.
Bolus injection:
Initial dose: 0.25mg/kg intravenous bolus administration for 2 minutes. The second dose of 0.35mg/kg intravenous can be administered after 15 mins
Continuous infusion:
It should begin immediately after a bolus injection of 0.35mg/kg intravenous or 0.25mg/kg intravenous administered over 2 minutes
Initial rate of infusion:10mg/hr intravenous
Maintenance rate of infusion: Can increase 5mg/hr increments up to 15mg/hr
Maximum duration:24 hours
>60 kg: 1 mg (one vial) intravenous infusion. May repeat after ten minutes when necessary
<60 kg: 0.01 mg/kg (0.1 mL/kg) intravenous infusion. May repeat after ten minutes when necessary
Atrial fibrillation is a common type of heart rhythm disorder characterized by irregular electrical signals in the atria, leading to their quivering or fibrillation. This can cause the heart rate to increase rapidly, resulting in a condition known as tachyarrhythmia. The condition can be characterized as either paroxysmal, lasting for less than seven days, or persistent, lasting more than seven days.
The irregular rhythm caused by atrial fibrillation can lead to unstable blood flow in the heart, increasing the likelihood of thrombus formation. If a blood clot forms, it can potentially dislodge and cause a stroke. Atrial fibrillation is the primary cardiac cause of stroke, and patients with the condition are at a greater risk of developing other cardiovascular complications, such as heart failure and cardiovascular death.
While atrial fibrillation may be a chronic condition, multiple treatments, and risk modification strategies have been developed to help reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Additionally, lifestyle modifications such as reducing alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and engaging in regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of developing atrial fibrillation and related complications.
Atrial fibrillation is a cardiac rhythm disorder encountered commonly and is on the rise worldwide. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation is known to increase with age, and it has been predicted that the number of individuals affected by this condition will significantly increase by the year 2050. Although atrial fibrillation affects approximately 1% of the global population, it is more commonly seen in individuals over 75, where its prevalence leaps to about 9%.
Furthermore, the lifetime risk of developing atrial fibrillation is about 22% at 80. The condition is more prevalent in males than females, and whites are more likely to develop it than blacks. Atrial fibrillation is characterized by an irregular heartbeat that can cause palpitations, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and dizziness. It can also increase the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications.
Atrial fibrillation is a prevalent arrhythmia characterized by disorganized and rapid electrical activity in the atria, often associated with various underlying cardiovascular diseases. Structural remodeling, caused by alterations in myocytes and the extracellular matrix, is the main contributor to the development of AF.
Electrical remodeling, related to tachycardia and shortening of the refractory period, also plays a significant role. Although some genetic causes have been identified, most AF cases are triggered by an ectopic focus in the atria, leading to the unsynchronized firing of electrical impulses and subsequent fibrillation.
The irregular impulses and variable pulse rates in AF can impair blood flow through the heart chamber and increase the risk of thrombus formation, especially in the left atrial appendage, potentially causing severe complications such as stroke, heart failure, and death.
Atrial fibrillation is a cardiac arrhythmia that can have various causes, strongly associated with other cardiovascular diseases. The development of AF is commonly associated with advanced age, congenital heart disease, and underlying heart diseases such as valvular disease, atrial ischemia, and coronary artery disease.
Other factors that may contribute to AF include increased alcohol consumption, hypertension, endocrine disorders such as pheochromocytoma, diabetes and hyperthyroidism, genetic factors, neurologic disorders such as subarachnoid hemorrhage or stroke, hemodynamic stress, obstructive sleep apnea, and inflammation due to conditions such as myocarditis and pericarditis.
Essentially, any condition that affects the anatomy of the heart by inducing inflammation, stress, damage, or ischemia can result in the development of AF. In some cases, the cause of AF can be iatrogenic.
Atrial fibrillation poses a significant risk of thromboembolism and mortality. Patients with AF frequently experience hospitalizations and complications related to anticoagulation throughout their lives.
The risk of stroke is constant, and the quality of life for patients is generally low. Additionally, the management of AF is expensive, with patients bearing the majority of the financial burden.
Bolus injection:
Initial dose: 0.25mg/kg intravenous bolus administration for 2 minutes. The second dose of 0.35mg/kg intravenous can be administered after 15 mins
Continuous infusion:
It should begin immediately after a bolus injection of 0.35mg/kg intravenous or 0.25mg/kg intravenous administered over 2 minutes
Initial rate of infusion:10mg/hr intravenous
Maintenance rate of infusion: Can increase 5mg/hr increments up to 15mg/hr
Maximum duration:24 hours
>60 kg: 1 mg (one vial) intravenous infusion. May repeat after ten minutes when necessary
<60 kg: 0.01 mg/kg (0.1 mL/kg) intravenous infusion. May repeat after ten minutes when necessary
Atrial fibrillation is a common type of heart rhythm disorder characterized by irregular electrical signals in the atria, leading to their quivering or fibrillation. This can cause the heart rate to increase rapidly, resulting in a condition known as tachyarrhythmia. The condition can be characterized as either paroxysmal, lasting for less than seven days, or persistent, lasting more than seven days.
The irregular rhythm caused by atrial fibrillation can lead to unstable blood flow in the heart, increasing the likelihood of thrombus formation. If a blood clot forms, it can potentially dislodge and cause a stroke. Atrial fibrillation is the primary cardiac cause of stroke, and patients with the condition are at a greater risk of developing other cardiovascular complications, such as heart failure and cardiovascular death.
While atrial fibrillation may be a chronic condition, multiple treatments, and risk modification strategies have been developed to help reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Additionally, lifestyle modifications such as reducing alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and engaging in regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of developing atrial fibrillation and related complications.
Atrial fibrillation is a cardiac rhythm disorder encountered commonly and is on the rise worldwide. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation is known to increase with age, and it has been predicted that the number of individuals affected by this condition will significantly increase by the year 2050. Although atrial fibrillation affects approximately 1% of the global population, it is more commonly seen in individuals over 75, where its prevalence leaps to about 9%.
Furthermore, the lifetime risk of developing atrial fibrillation is about 22% at 80. The condition is more prevalent in males than females, and whites are more likely to develop it than blacks. Atrial fibrillation is characterized by an irregular heartbeat that can cause palpitations, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and dizziness. It can also increase the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications.
Atrial fibrillation is a prevalent arrhythmia characterized by disorganized and rapid electrical activity in the atria, often associated with various underlying cardiovascular diseases. Structural remodeling, caused by alterations in myocytes and the extracellular matrix, is the main contributor to the development of AF.
Electrical remodeling, related to tachycardia and shortening of the refractory period, also plays a significant role. Although some genetic causes have been identified, most AF cases are triggered by an ectopic focus in the atria, leading to the unsynchronized firing of electrical impulses and subsequent fibrillation.
The irregular impulses and variable pulse rates in AF can impair blood flow through the heart chamber and increase the risk of thrombus formation, especially in the left atrial appendage, potentially causing severe complications such as stroke, heart failure, and death.
Atrial fibrillation is a cardiac arrhythmia that can have various causes, strongly associated with other cardiovascular diseases. The development of AF is commonly associated with advanced age, congenital heart disease, and underlying heart diseases such as valvular disease, atrial ischemia, and coronary artery disease.
Other factors that may contribute to AF include increased alcohol consumption, hypertension, endocrine disorders such as pheochromocytoma, diabetes and hyperthyroidism, genetic factors, neurologic disorders such as subarachnoid hemorrhage or stroke, hemodynamic stress, obstructive sleep apnea, and inflammation due to conditions such as myocarditis and pericarditis.
Essentially, any condition that affects the anatomy of the heart by inducing inflammation, stress, damage, or ischemia can result in the development of AF. In some cases, the cause of AF can be iatrogenic.
Atrial fibrillation poses a significant risk of thromboembolism and mortality. Patients with AF frequently experience hospitalizations and complications related to anticoagulation throughout their lives.
The risk of stroke is constant, and the quality of life for patients is generally low. Additionally, the management of AF is expensive, with patients bearing the majority of the financial burden.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526072/
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