Atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF or AFib) is a cardiac arrhythmia (an abnormality of heart rate or rhythm) originating in the atria. Abnormal electrical impulses in the atria cause the ventricles to contract erratically. AF is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. If rapid, it may compromise blood flow and cause fainting, orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure on standing up) or low blood pressure. In addition, it predisposes to thrombosis and embolism to the brain, being a prime risk factor for stroke.

References

• {{fnb|1}} Fuster V, Ryden LE, Asinger RW, Cannom DS, Crijns HJ, Frye RL, Halperin JL, Kay GN, Klein WW, Levy S, McNamara RL, Prystowsky EN, Wann LS, Wyse DG, Gibbons RJ, Antman EM, Alpert JS, Faxon DP, Fuster V, Gregoratos G, Hiratzka LF, Jacobs AK, Russell RO, Smith SC, Klein WW, Alonso-Garcia A, Blomstrom-Lundqvist C, De Backer G, Flather M, Hradec J, Oto A, Parkhomenko A, Silber S, Torbicki A; American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/European Society of Cardiology Board. ACC/AHA/ESC guidelines for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation: executive summary. A Report of the American College of Cardiology/ American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines and Policy Conferences (Committee to Develop Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation): developed in Collaboration With the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology. J Am Coll Cardiol 2001;38:1231-66. ACC/AHA/ESC Fulltext. PMID 11583910.
• {{fnb|2}} Wyse DG, Waldo AL, DiMarco JP, Domanski MJ, Rosenberg Y, Schron EB, Kellen JC, Greene HL, Mickel MC, Dalquist JE, Corley SD; Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) Investigators. A comparison of rate control and rhythm control in patients with atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med 2002;347:1825-33. PMID 12466506.
• {{fnb|3}} Long term management of Atrial Fibrillation