Transcript
Page 1: Understanding Atrial Fibrillation

UNDERSTANDING ATRIAL

FIBRILLATION Elizabeth MorseOhio University

Page 2: Understanding Atrial Fibrillation

What Is Atrial Fibrillation?■ Atrial fibrillation (also

called AFib or AF) is a quivering or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)

■ Can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. 

■ At least 2.7 million Americans are living with AFib.

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What happens during AFib?■ Normally, your heart

contracts and relaxes to a regular beat.

■ In atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat irregularly (quiver) instead of beating effectively to move blood into the ventricles.

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Symptoms■ Rapid and irregular

heartbeat■ Palpitations■ Fluttering or “Thumping” in

the Chest■ Shortness of Breath and

Anxiety■ Dizziness, Faintness, or

Confusion■ Chest Pain or Pressure

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What Causes AFib?

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Management

■ Restoring the heart to a normal rhythm

■ Reducing an overly high heart rate

■ Preventing blood clots■ Managing risk factors for Stroke

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■ Preventing Clots with Medication – Antiplatelets – Anticoagulants

■ Heart Rate Controlling Medications – Beta Blockers– Calcium Channel Blockers– Digoxin

■ Heart Rhythm Controlling Medications– Potassium Channel Blockers– Sodium Channel Blockers

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Non-Surgical Treatment Options

■Electrical cardioversion– The Rhythm Reset

■Catheter Ablation

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Surgical Treatment Options

■Pacemaker■Open Heart Maze

Procedure


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