Term
| What are the consequences of AF? |
|
Definition
1) Stroke
2) Congestive heart failure |
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Term
| What are the actions of the atria and ventricles during AF? |
|
Definition
Atria: fibrillate quickly and randomly.
Ventricles: contract less often and irregularly |
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Term
| How would you identify AF from an ECG? |
|
Definition
1) No P waves
2) Irregular QRS complexes but normal shape
3) V1 lead: can see some resemblance to atrial flutter |
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Term
| What are the cardiac causes of AF? |
|
Definition
1) MI
2) IHD
3) Hypertension
4) Mitral valve disease
5) Cardiomyopathy
6) Pericarditis |
|
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Term
| What are the non-cardiac causes of AF? |
|
Definition
1) Hyperthyroid
2) Acute infection
3) PE
4) Alcohol (cardiomyopathy) |
|
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Term
| What score is used to stratify AF patients for stroke risk and what factors does it take into account? |
|
Definition
C: congestive heart failure
H: hypertension
A2: >75
D: diabetes
S2: stroke
V: vascular disease
A: Age (65-74)
Sc: Sex |
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Term
| What anticoagulation therapy is given to patients with a CHADVASC score of over 2? |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| How do you rhythm control patients with AF? |
|
Definition
|
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Term
| How long do you need to wait to cardiovert a patient with palpitations over 48 hours earlier? |
|
Definition
| 3 weeks of therapeutic anti-coagulation |
|
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Term
| What investigation should you perform before cardioversion and why? |
|
Definition
| ECHO. To exclude structural heart disease which may contraindicate rhythm control strategy |
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Term
| What drugs would you give to rhythm control a patient? |
|
Definition
| A beta blocker and a rate limiting calcium channel blocker. If that fails give digoxin. |
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