Acute Management of Atrial Fibrillation: Part I. Rate and Rhythm Control DANA E

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Acute Management of Atrial Fibrillation: Part I. Rate and Rhythm Control DANA E COVER ARTICLE PRACTICAL THERAPEUTICS Acute Management of Atrial Fibrillation: Part I. Rate and Rhythm Control DANA E. KING, M.D., LORI M. DICKERSON, PHARM.D., and JONATHAN L. SACK, M.D. Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina Atrial fibrillation is the arrhythmia most commonly encountered in family practice. Serious complications can include congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and thromboembolism. Initial treatment is directed at controlling the ventricular rate, most often with a calcium channel blocker, a beta blocker, or digoxin. Medical or electrical cardioversion to restore sinus rhythm is the next step in patients who remain in atrial fibrillation. Heparin should be administered to hospitalized patients undergoing med- ical or electrical cardioversion. Anticoagulation with warfarin should be used for three weeks before elective cardioversion and continued for four weeks after cardioversion. The recommendations provided in this two-part article are consistent with guidelines published by the American Heart Association and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (Am Fam Physician 2002;66:249-56. Copyright© 2002 American Academy of Family Physicians.) n recent years, management ness of breath, dizziness, or palpitations. strategies for atrial fibrillation The arrhythmia should also be suspected have expanded significantly, and in patients with acute fatigue or exacer- new drugs for ventricular rate bation of congestive heart failure.3 In control and rhythm conversion some patients, atrial fibrillation may be Ihave been introduced.1-3 Family physi- identified on the basis of an irregularly cians have the challenge of keeping cur- irregular pulse or an electrocardiogram rent with recommendations on heart rate (ECG) obtained for the evaluation of control, antiarrhythmic drug therapy, car- another condition. dioversion, and antithrombotic therapy. Cardiac conditions commonly associ- Atrial fibrillation is the most common ated with the development of atrial fibril- sustained arrhythmia encountered in the lation include rheumatic mitral valve dis- primary care setting. Approximately 4 per- ease, coronary artery disease, congestive Members of various cent of persons in the general U.S. popula- heart failure, and hypertension. Noncar- family practice depart- tion have permanent or intermittent atrial diac conditions that can predispose ments develop articles fibrillation, and the prevalence of the patients to develop atrial fibrillation for “Practical Therapeu- arrhythmia increases to 9 percent in per- include hyperthyroidism, hypoxia, alco- tics.” This article is one 2 4 in a series coordinated sons older than 60 years. Atrial fibrillation hol intoxication, and surgery. by the Department of can result in serious complications, The ECG is the mainstay for diagnosis Family Medicine at the including congestive heart failure, myocar- of atrial fibrillation (Figure 1). An irregu- Medical University of dial infarction, and thromboembolism. larly irregular rhythm, inconsistent R-R South Carolina. Guest Recognition and acute management of interval, and absence of P waves are usu- editor of the series is William J. Hueston, M.D. atrial fibrillation in the physician’s office or ally noted on the cardiac monitor or emergency department are important in ECG. Atrial fibrillation waves (f waves), This is part I of a two- preventing adverse consequences. which are small, irregular waves seen as a part article on atrial rapid-cycle baseline fluctuation, indicate fibrillation. Part II, “Pre- Diagnosis rapid atrial activity (usually between 150 vention of Thrombo- embolic Complications,” The diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and 300 beats per minute) and are the appears in this issue should be considered in elderly patients hallmark of the arrhythmia. on pages 261-4. who present with complaints of short- When the fibrillation waves reach 300 JULY 15, 2002 / VOLUME 66, NUMBER 2 www.aafp.org/afp AMERICAN FAMILY PHYSICIAN 249 { { FIGURE 1. Atrial fibrillation. The tracing demonstrates the absence of P waves (long arrow), as well as the presence of the fine f waves of atrial fibrillation (short arrows). Note the irregularity of the ventricular response, as seen from the variable R-R interval (brackets). beats per minute, they may be difficult to see rate of approximately 150 beats per minute. In (fine versus coarse fibrillation).5 These waves this condition, the atrial rate is regular (unlike may be even harder to detect on a cardiac the irregular disorganized f waves of atrial fib- monitor in a busy emergency department rillation), but conduction to the ventricles is because of interference from other electrical not regular. The resultant irregularly irregular equipment. The f waves may be easier to iden- rhythm may be difficult to differentiate from tify on a printed rhythm strip. In addition, atrial fibrillation.3 when the ventricular response to atrial fibril- lation is very rapid (more than 200 beats per Initial Management minute), variability of the R-R interval can Recent advances in treatment and the intro- frequently be seen more easily using calipers duction of new drugs have not changed initial on a paper tracing. management goals in patients with atrial fibril- Atrial flutter is included in the spectrum of lation. These goals are hemodynamic stabiliza- supraventricular arrhythmia. This rhythm tion, ventricular rate control, and prevention disturbance is usually distinguishable by its of embolic complications.4,6-8 When atrial fib- more prominent saw-tooth wave configura- rillation does not terminate spontaneously, the tion and slower atrial rates (Figure 2). Atrial ventricular rate should be treated to slow ven- fibrillation should also be distinguished from tricular response and, if appropriate, efforts atrial tachycardia with variable atrioventricu- should be made to terminate atrial fibrillation lar block, which usually presents with an atrial and restore sinus rhythm4,7,9 (Figure 3).8 FIGURE 2. Atrial flutter. Note the saw-tooth wave configuration, or flutter waves (arrows). 250 AMERICAN FAMILY PHYSICIAN www.aafp.org/afp VOLUME 66, NUMBER 2 / JULY 15, 2002 Atrial Fibrillation Initial Management of Atrial Fibrillation Patient with diagnosis of atrial fibrillation Hemodynamically stable (no angina, no hypotension, etc.)? Yes No Control ventricular rate (goal = <100 beats per Electrical cardioversion: sedate, minute): administer diltiazem (Cardizem), then shock (100 J, 200 J, 300 J, 15 mg IV over 2 minutes, then 5 to 15 mg per 360 J) until sinus rhythm returns. hour by continuous IV infusion or administer other rate-control drug (see Table 1). Spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm? Yes No Assess cause of atrial Contraindications to cardioversion? fibrillation; hospital discharge, follow-up Yes No Consider long-term Consider cardioversion, if indicated (see text): anticoagulation. Start heparin IV; then choose— Atrial fibrillation < 48 hours: immediate medical or electrical cardioversion Atrial fibrillation > 48 hours or unknown duration: Later elective cardioversion (electrical cardioversion with or without medical cardioversion) after 3 weeks of warfarin (Coumadin) Early TEE–guided cardioversion (electrical cardioversion with or without medical cardioversion) Atrial fibrillation persists? Yes No Consider long-term Assess cause of atrial fibrillation; anticoagulation. hospital discharge, follow-up FIGURE 3. Initial approach to the patient with acute atrial fibrillation. (IV = intravenous; J = joule; TEE = transesophageal echocardiography) Information from Falk RH. Atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med 2001;344:1067-78. JULY 15, 2002 / VOLUME 66, NUMBER 2 www.aafp.org/afp AMERICAN FAMILY PHYSICIAN 251 Compared with beta blockers and calcium In patients with atrial fibrillation, the initial management channel blockers, digoxin is less effective for goals are hemodynamic stabilization, ventricular rate control, ventricular rate control, particularly during and prevention of embolic complications. exercise. Digoxin is most often used as adjunc- tive therapy because of its slower onset of action (usually 60 minutes or more) and its weak potency as an atrioventricular node– VENTRICULAR RATE CONTROL blocking agent.3,13 It can be used when rate Ventricular rate control to achieve a rate of control during exercise is of less concern.4,7,12 less than 100 beats per minute is generally the Digoxin is a positive inotropic agent, which first step in managing atrial fibrillation. Beta makes it especially useful in patients with sys- blockers, calcium channel blockers, and tolic heart failure.7 digoxin (Lanoxin) are the drugs most com- The calcium channel blockers diltiazem monly used for rate control3,4,7 (Table 1).3 (Cardizem) and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin) These agents do not have proven efficacy in are effective for initial ventricular rate control converting atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation. These agents and should not be used for that purpose.4,7,10,11 are given intravenously in bolus doses until Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers the ventricular rate becomes slower.7 Dihydro- are the drugs of choice because they provide pyridine calcium channel blockers (e.g., nifed- rapid rate control.4,7,12 These drugs are effec- ipine [Procardia], amlodipine [Norvasc], tive in reducing the heart rate at rest and dur- felodipine [Plendil], isradipine [DynaCirc], ing exercise in patients with atrial fibrilla- nisoldipine [Sular]), are not effective for ven- tion.4,7,12
Recommended publications
  • Non Commercial Use Only
    Cardiogenetics 2017; volume 7:6304 Sudden death in a young patient with atrial fibrillation Case Report Correspondence: María Angeles Espinosa Castro, Inherited Cardiovascular Disease A 22-year-old man suffered a sudden Program, Cardiology Department, Gregorio María Tamargo, cardiac arrest without previous symptoms Marañón Hospital, Dr. Esquerdo, 46, 28007, María Ángeles Espinosa, while he was at rest, waiting for a subway Madrid, Spain. Víctor Gómez-Carrillo, Miriam Juárez, train. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was Tel.: +34.91.586.82.90. immediately started using an Automated E-mail: [email protected] Francisco Fernández-Avilés, External Defibrillation that identified the Raquel Yotti Key words: KCNQ1; mutation; channelopa- presence of ventricular fibrillation and thy; sudden cardiac death; atrial fibrillation. Inherited Cardiovascular Disease delivered a shock. Return of spontaneous Program, Cardiology Department, circulation was achieved after three Contributions: MT, acquisition and interpreta- Gregorio Marañón Hospital, Madrid, attempts, being atrial fibrillation (AF) the tion of data for the work, ensuring that ques- Spain patient’s rhythm at this point (Figure 1). tions related to the accuracy or integrity of any He was admitted to our Cardiovascular part of the work is appropriately investigated Intensive Care Unit and therapeutic and resolved; MAE, conception of the work, hypothermia was performed over a period critical revision of the intellectual content, final approval of the version to be published, Abstract of 24 h. After completing hypothermia, ensuring that questions related to the accuracy rewarming, and another 24 h of controlled of any part of the work is appropriately inves- Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young normothermia the patient awakened with no tigated and resolved; VG-C, acquisition and patients without structural heart disease is residual neurologic damage.
    [Show full text]
  • Antithrombotic Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation Associated with Valvular Heart Disease
    Europace (2017) 0, 1–21 EHRA CONSENSUS DOCUMENT doi:10.1093/europace/eux240 Antithrombotic therapy in atrial fibrillation associated with valvular heart disease: a joint consensus document from the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) and European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Thrombosis, endorsed by the ESC Working Group on Valvular Heart Disease, Cardiac Arrhythmia Society of Southern Africa (CASSA), Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), South African Heart (SA Heart) Association and Sociedad Latinoamericana de Estimulacion Cardıaca y Electrofisiologıa (SOLEACE) Gregory Y. H. Lip1*, Jean Philippe Collet2, Raffaele de Caterina3, Laurent Fauchier4, Deirdre A. Lane5, Torben B. Larsen6, Francisco Marin7, Joao Morais8, Calambur Narasimhan9, Brian Olshansky10, Luc Pierard11, Tatjana Potpara12, Nizal Sarrafzadegan13, Karen Sliwa14, Gonzalo Varela15, Gemma Vilahur16, Thomas Weiss17, Giuseppe Boriani18 and Bianca Rocca19 Document Reviewers: Bulent Gorenek20 (Reviewer Coordinator), Irina Savelieva21, Christian Sticherling22, Gulmira Kudaiberdieva23, Tze-Fan Chao24, Francesco Violi25, Mohan Nair26, Leandro Zimerman27, Jonathan Piccini28, Robert Storey29, Sigrun Halvorsen30, Diana Gorog31, Andrea Rubboli32, Ashley Chin33 and Robert Scott-Millar34 * Corresponding author. Tel/fax: þ44 121 5075503. E-mail address: [email protected] Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. VC The Author 2017. For permissions, please email: [email protected]. 2 G.Y.H. Lip 1Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham and Aalborg Thrombosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Denmark (Chair, representing EHRA); 2Sorbonne Universite´ Paris 6, ACTION Study Group, Institut De Cardiologie, Groupe Hoˆpital Pitie´-Salpetrie`re (APHP), INSERM UMRS 1166, Paris, France; 3Institute of Cardiology, ‘G.
    [Show full text]
  • Common Types of Supraventricular Tachycardia: Diagnosis and Management RANDALL A
    Common Types of Supraventricular Tachycardia: Diagnosis and Management RANDALL A. COLUCCI, DO, MPH, Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, Ohio MITCHELL J. SILVER, DO, McConnell Heart Hospital, Columbus, Ohio JAY SHUBROOK, DO, Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, Ohio The most common types of supraventricular tachycardia are caused by a reentry phenomenon producing acceler- ated heart rates. Symptoms may include palpitations (including possible pulsations in the neck), chest pain, fatigue, lightheadedness or dizziness, and dyspnea. It is unusual for supraventricular tachycardia to be caused by structurally abnormal hearts. Diagnosis is often delayed because of the misdiagnosis of anxiety or panic disorder. Patient history is important in uncovering the diagnosis, whereas the physical examination may or may not be helpful. A Holter moni- tor or an event recorder is usually needed to capture the arrhythmia and confirm a diagnosis. Treatment consists of short-term or as-needed pharmacotherapy using calcium channel or beta blockers when vagal maneuvers fail to halt or slow the rhythm. In those who require long-term pharmacotherapy, atrioventricular nodal blocking agents or class Ic or III antiarrhythmics can be used; however, these agents should generally be managed by a cardiologist. Catheter ablation is an option in patients with persistent or recurrent supraventricular tachycardia who are unable to tolerate long-term pharmacologic treatment. If Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is present, expedient referral
    [Show full text]
  • What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
    ANSWERS Cardiovascular Conditions by heart What Is Atrial Fibrillation? Normally, your heart contracts and relaxes to a regular beat. Certain cells in your heart, called the sinus node, make electrical The illustrations above show normal conduction and contraction. signals that cause the heart to contract and pump blood. These electrical signals can be recorded using an electrocardiogram, or Sinus node ECG. Your doctor can read your ECG to find out if the electrical signals are normal. Left atrium In atrial fibrillation, or AFib, the heart’s Right atrium two small upper chambers (atria) beat irregularly and too fast, quivering instead of contracting properly. With atrial fibrillation, random electrical activity During AFib, some blood may not be interrupts the normal pumped efficiently from the atria into the conduction rhythm. ventricles. Blood that’s left behind can pool This prevents the atria from in the atria and form blood clots. properly contracting. How do I know I have atrial fibrillation? The risk of stroke is about five times higher in people with AFib. This is because blood can pool in the atria and blood Some people with AFib don’t have symptoms. Some of the clots can form. symptoms are: • Fast, irregular heartbeat What can be done to correct AFib? • Heart palpitations (rapid “flopping” or “fluttering” feeling in the chest) Treatment options may include one or more of the following: • Feeling lightheaded or faint • Medication to help slow your heart rate, such as beta • Chest pain or pressure blockers, certain calcium channel blockers or digoxin • Shortness of breath, especially when lying down • Medication to restore normal heart rhythm, such as • Tiring more easily (fatigue) beta blockers or antiarrhythmics • Procedures to stop or control the electrical impulses Can AFib lead to other problems? causing the AFib, such as electrical cardioversion or catheter ablation You can live with and manage AFib.
    [Show full text]
  • Accuracy of the Single Cycle Length Method for Calculation of Aortic Effective Orifice Area in Irregular Heart Rhythms
    AORTIC STENOSIS Accuracy of the Single Cycle Length Method for Calculation of Aortic Effective Orifice Area in Irregular Heart Rhythms Kerry A. Esquitin, MD, Omar K. Khalique, MD, Qi Liu, MD, Susheel K. Kodali, MD, Leo Marcoff, MD, Tamim M. Nazif, MD, Isaac George, MD, Torsten P. Vahl, MD, Martin B. Leon, MD, and Rebecca T. Hahn, MD, New York, New York; and Morristown, New Jersey Introduction: In irregular heart rhythms, echocardiographic calculation of aortic effective orifice area (EOA) re- quires averaging measurements from multiple cardiac cycles. Whether a single cycle length method can be used to calculate aortic EOA in aortic stenosis with nonsinus rhythms is not known. Methods: Transthoracic echocardiograms of 100 patients with aortic stenosis and either atrial fibrillation (AF) or frequent ectopy (FE) were retrospectively reviewed. The aortic valve velocity time integral (VTIAV) and the left ven- tricular outflow tract VTI (VTILVOT) were measured by two methods: the standard method (averaging multiple beats) and the single cycle length method. The latter matches the R-R intervals for VTIAV and VTILVOT.Stroke volume, EOA, and Doppler velocity index were calculated by both methods in all patients. The single cycle length method was used for short and long R-R cycles in AF and for postectopic beats (long R-R cycles) in FE. Results: In AF, long R-R cycles resulted in larger stroke volumes (73 6 21 vs 63 6 18 mL; P # .0001) but no difference in EOA (0.84 6 0.27 vs 0.82 6 0.27 cm2; P = .11), whereas short R-R cycles resulted in smaller stroke volumes (55 6 18 vs 63 6 18 mL, P # .0001) but a larger EOA (0.86 6 0.28 vs 0.82 6 0.27 cm2; P = .01).
    [Show full text]
  • HRS/EHRA/APHRS Expert Consensus Statement on the Diagnosis and Management of Patients with Inherited Primary Arrhythmia Syndromes
    This document is embargoed until May 10, 2013 at 9:30 am MST. Document will publish in HeartRhythm, EP Europace, and Journal of Arrhythmias in the fall of 2013. HRS/EHRA/APHRS Expert Consensus Statement on the Diagnosis and Management of Patients with Inherited Primary Arrhythmia Syndromes Developed in partnership with the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), a registered branch of the European Society of Cardiology, and the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS); and in collaboration with the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF), the American Heart Association (AHA), the Pediatric and Congenital Electrophysiology Society (PACES) and the Association for European Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology (AEPC). Document endorsed by HRS, EHRA and APHRS May, 2013. Endorsements pending from ACCF, AHA, PACES, and AEPC. Writing Group Chairs Silvia G. Priori, MD, PhD, Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri, Department of Molecular Medicine University of Pavia, Pavia, ITALY (HRS Chairperson) Arthur A. Wilde, MD, PhD, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS (EHRA Chairperson) Minoru Horie, MD, PhD, Shiga University of Medical Sciences, Otsu, JAPAN (APHRS Chairperson) Yongkeun Cho, MD, PhD, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, SOUTH KOREA (APHRS Chairperson) Writing Group Members Elijah R. Behr, MA, MBBS, MD, FRCP, St. Georges University of London, UNITED KINGDOM Charles Berul, MD, FHRS, CCDS, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC, UNITED STATES Nico Blom, MD, PhD, Academical Medical Center, AMSTERDAM, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, NETHERLANDS* Josep Brugada, MD, PhD, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, SPAIN Chern-En Chiang, MD, PhD, Taipei Veteran’s General Hospital, Taipei, TAIWAN © Heart Rhythm Society, European Heart Rhythm Association, a registered branch of the European Society of Cardiology, and the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society 1 This document is embargoed until May 10, 2013 at 9:30 am MST.
    [Show full text]
  • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease Presenting As Atrial Fibrillation, Fever, Lymphadenopathy, and Pericardial Effusion
    J Case Rep Images Med 2016;2:24–30. Mathew Jr. et al. 24 www.edoriumjournals.com/case-reports/jcrm CCASEASE REPORT PEER REVIEWED OPE| OPEN NACCESS ACCESS Mixed connective tissue disease presenting as atrial fibrillation, fever, lymphadenopathy, and pericardial effusion Jacob Mathew Jr., Tanner Kim, Timilyn Nunu, Jay Jahanmir ABSTRACT autoimmune condition affecting almost every major organ of the body, defined by the presence Introduction: Mixed connective tissue disease of overlapping features from other connective (MCTD) is a poorly understood rheumatologic tissue diseases. The use of available classification condition that presents with clinical symptoms criteria and newly available biomarkers can related to the underlying presence of distinct assist in earlier diagnosis. While the condition overlapping autoimmune conditions. Patients can is considered incurable, prognosis is good be identified by the presence of a shared antibody with use of glucocorticoid therapy. This case to the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein highlights the need to keep heightened suspicion autoantigen. While the condition is considered for entities such as MCTD in patients who have incurable, prognosis is relatively good with most various symptoms that may fit multiple distinct patients responding well to glucocorticoids. autoimmune conditions. We report a case in which a patient presented with multiple nonspecific symptoms but was Keywords: Mixed connective tissue disease found to have multiple organ involvement that (MCTD), Rheumatology, Reactive lymphadenop- ultimately was tied to MCTD. Case Report: We athy report a 48-year-old male admitted with multiple nonspecific symptoms who was found to have How to cite this article atrial fibrillation, pericardial effusion, pleural effusions, diffuse lymphadenopathy and among Mathew Jr., J, Kim T, Nunu T, Jahanmir J.
    [Show full text]
  • Atrial Fibrillation: Diagnosis and Treatment CECILIA GUTIERREZ, MD, and DANIEL G
    Atrial Fibrillation: Diagnosis and Treatment CECILIA GUTIERREZ, MD, and DANIEL G. BLANCHARD, MD, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. It impairs cardiac function and increases the risk of stroke. The incidence of atrial fibrillation increases with age. Key treatment issues include deciding when to restore normal sinus rhythm, when to control rate only, and how to prevent thromboembolism. Rate control is the preferred manage- ment option in most patients. Rhythm control is an option for patients in whom rate control cannot be achieved or who have persistent symptoms despite rate control. The current recommendation for strict rate control is a resting heart rate of less than 80 beats per minute. However, one study has shown that more lenient rate control of less than 110 beats per minute while at rest was not inferior to strict rate control in preventing cardiac death, heart failure, stroke, and life- threatening arrhythmias. Anticoagulation therapy is needed with rate control and rhythm control to prevent stroke. Warfarin is superior to aspirin and clopidogrel in preventing stroke despite its narrow therapeutic range and increased risk of bleeding. Tools that predict the risk of stroke (e.g., CHADS2) and the risk of bleeding (e.g., Outpatient Bleed- ing Risk Index) are helpful in making decisions about anticoagulation therapy. Surgical options for atrial fibrillation include disruption of abnormal conduction pathways in the atria, and obliteration of the left atrial appendage. Catheter ablation is an option for restoring normal sinus rhythm in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and normal left atrial size.
    [Show full text]
  • Management of Asymptomatic Arrhythmias
    Europace (2019) 0, 1–32 EHRA POSITION PAPER doi:10.1093/europace/euz046 Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/europace/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/europace/euz046/5382236 by PPD Development LP user on 25 April 2019 Management of asymptomatic arrhythmias: a European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) consensus document, endorsed by the Heart Failure Association (HFA), Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), Cardiac Arrhythmia Society of Southern Africa (CASSA), and Latin America Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS) David O. Arnar (Iceland, Chair)1*, Georges H. Mairesse (Belgium, Co-Chair)2, Giuseppe Boriani (Italy)3, Hugh Calkins (USA, HRS representative)4, Ashley Chin (South Africa, CASSA representative)5, Andrew Coats (United Kingdom, HFA representative)6, Jean-Claude Deharo (France)7, Jesper Hastrup Svendsen (Denmark)8,9, Hein Heidbu¨chel (Belgium)10, Rodrigo Isa (Chile, LAHRS representative)11, Jonathan M. Kalman (Australia, APHRS representative)12,13, Deirdre A. Lane (United Kingdom)14,15, Ruan Louw (South Africa, CASSA representative)16, Gregory Y. H. Lip (United Kingdom, Denmark)14,15, Philippe Maury (France)17, Tatjana Potpara (Serbia)18, Frederic Sacher (France)19, Prashanthan Sanders (Australia, APHRS representative)20, Niraj Varma (USA, HRS representative)21, and Laurent Fauchier (France)22 ESC Scientific Document Group: Kristina Haugaa23,24, Peter Schwartz25, Andrea Sarkozy26, Sanjay Sharma27, Erik Kongsga˚rd28, Anneli Svensson29, Radoslaw Lenarczyk30, Maurizio Volterrani31, Mintu Turakhia32,
    [Show full text]
  • Atrial Fibrillation in Acute Myocardial Infarction
    Original Article Atrial Fibrillation in Acute Myocardial Infarction Radha Bhattarai1, Sergey Anatolevich Sayganov1 1Department of hospital therapy and cardiology Northwestern State Medical University, Vasilevsky Ostrov, Bolshoe Prospect 85, Saint-Petersburg, Russia. ABSTRACT Background and Aim: New-onset atrial fibrillation frequently complicates acute myocardial infarction. The incidence ranges from 6 - 21% “1”.We aim to determine the incidence of atrial fibrillation in the setting of acute myocardial infarction. Methods: This was a single center prospective study, conducted in the coronary care unit of Saint-Petersburg Pokrovskaya city hospital, Russia, during the period, June 2013 to June 2014. Sixty consecutive patients of acute myocardial infarction with atrial fibrillation were included in this study. Onset, duration, and mode of termination of atrial fibrillation, clinical factors associated with its presentation and its relation with patient outcome were evaluated. Results: Among the 60 patients 33 (55%) had inferior wall myocardial infarction and 27 (45%) patients had anterior wall myocardial infarction. In patients with inferior wall myocardial infarction the onset of atrial fibrillation occurred within 24 hours in 30 (91%) patients, after 24 hour in 3 (9%) patients. The episode lasted for less than 24 hours in 12 (36%), and more than 24 hours in 21 (64%) patients. In anterior wall myocardial infarction atrial fibrillation occurred within 24 hours in 2 (7%) patients, on the second day in 25 (93%). The episode lasted less than 24 hours in 3 (11%), 48 hours in (85%), 72 hours in 1 (4%) Citation patients. There was a significant difference in the Radha Bhattarai, Sergey Anatolevich Sayganov. onset and duration of atrial fibrillation in relation to Atrial Fibrillation in Acute Myocardial Infarction.
    [Show full text]
  • Premature Ventricular Contraction Increases the Risk of Heart Failure
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Premature ventricular contraction increases the risk of heart failure and ventricular tachyarrhythmia Yun Gi Kim1,3, Yun Young Choi1,3, Kyung‑Do Han2, Kyoung Jin Min1, Ha Young Choi1, Jaemin Shim1, Jong‑Il Choi1* & Young‑Hoon Kim1 Premature ventricular contraction (PVC), a common arrhythmia afecting 1–2% of the general population, has been considered to have a benign clinical course. However, people with PVC often develop heart failure and ventricular arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia. We aimed to clarify the risk of heart failure and lethal ventricular arrhythmias in people with PVC. The Korean National Health Insurance Service database was used for this study. People who underwent nationwide health check‑ups in 2009 were enrolled in this study and clinical follow‑up data until December 2018 were analyzed. Newly diagnosed PVC in 2009 (≥ 1 inpatient or outpatient claim) were identifed and cumulative incidence of heart failure (≥ 1 inpatient claim) and ventricular arrhythmias (≥ 1 inpatient or outpatient claim) were compared. A total of 4515 people were frst diagnosed with PVC in 2009 among 9,743,582 people without prior history of PVC, heart failure, or ventricular arrhythmias. People with newly diagnosed PVC in 2009 had a signifcantly higher incidence of heart failure compared to those without PVC [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.371; 95% confdence interval (CI) 1.177–1.598; p < 0.001]. Signifcant interaction was observed between age and PVC with young age people at greater risk of developing heart failure for having PVC. The incidence of ventricular arrhythmia was also signifcantly increased in people with PVC (HR 5.588; 95% CI 4.553–6.859; p < 0.001).
    [Show full text]
  • Living with Atrial Fibrillation (Afib): Introduction
    LIVING WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION Patient Guide University of North Carolina Department of Cardiology and Electrophysiology 1 Living with Atrial Fibrillation TABLE OF CONTENTS Living with Atrial Fibrillation (Afib): Introduction ......................................................... 3 Overview of Atrial Fibrillation .......................................................................................... 5 Who gets Afib? ...........................................................................................................................7 Types of Afib- What Type Do You Have? ................................................................................7 What Are Symptoms of Afib? ...................................................................................................8 What are the Dangers of Afib? ..................................................................................................8 Diagnosis of Afib ........................................................................................................................9 Afib Treatment .......................................................................................................................... 10 Important Points If You Are Taking Blood Thinners ............................................................ 11 Common Medications For Heart Rate Control in Afib ......................................................... 13 Getting The Heart back In Normal Rhythm: .......................................................................... 14 Antiarrhythmic
    [Show full text]