Atrial Fibrillation or afib may or may not cause symptoms. In both atrial fibrillation (AFib) and ventricular fibrillation (VFib), the electrical signals in the heart muscle become chaotic. The explanation for the fact that the number of ectopic foci and re-entry circuits increase is because the atrial fibrillation (and the risk factors accompanying it) induce electrophysiological and anatomical changes in the atria and these changes promote triggers and drivers. The risk of bleeding should be assessed using HAS-BLED score. The risk of thromboembolism is not, as previously believed, equal in all forms of atrial fibrillation. A glitch in the heart’s … Approximately 60% of cases of acute atrial fibrillation will convert spontaneously to sinus rhythm within 16 hours from onset of symptoms. View all chapters in Cardiac Arrhythmias. Both rate and rhythm control reduces morbidity, mortality and improves quality of life. The trigger is the event that initiates the atrial fibrillation and the driver is the mechanisms that will maintain the arrhythmia. Sotalol is reserved for cardiologists, as it has pro-arrhythmic effects as well. Note that the tachyarrhythmia symptoms of atrial fibrillation (palpitations, chest discomfort etc) occur abruptly. Welcome to our atrial fibrillation reference page. Other significant risk factors are as follows: male sex, hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, left ventricular dysfunction, valve disease, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, congenital heart disease, diabetes mellitus (both type 1 and type 2), obesity, smoking, obstructive sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Developed for healthcare professionals, medical and nursing students who are interested in a deeper understanding of Atrial Fibrillation. Wikipedia.org. In A-Fib you will see many “fibrillation” beats instead of one P wave. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) and ventricular fibrillation (VFib) are both heart conditions that are referred to as arrhythmias. Rhythm control may be considered although most patients will relapse within one year and it does not provide a survival benefit as compared with rate control. Aiming at a ventricular rate below 100 beats per minute can be recommended. The aim is to slow ventricular rate as much as possible without provoking excessive bradycardia. The crude prevalence is lower in non-Western countries, primarily due to the younger age-composition in those countries (adjusted prevalence figures are scarce). Cardioversion is contraindicated after 48 hours due to high risk of thromboembolism (unless a transesophageal echocardiogram can be performed to rule out thrombus formation in the atria (left atrial appendage). Rhythm control means attempting to restore sinus rhythm. Approximately 25% of all individuals with atrial fibrillation are asymptomatic (they have no symptoms). 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