Essay on "Atrial Fibrillation"
Essay 3 pages (1053 words) Sources: 3
[EXCERPT] . . . .
Atrial fibrillation represents the single most common form of cardiac arrhythmias and is identified in 5% of all people above the age of 69, affecting an estimated 2.2 million people in the U.S. alone. [Lawrence Rosenthal, (2009)] it is a tachy arrhythmia with diverse triggers ('including sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation') that initiate an episode and favorable substrates that maintain it. Currently, the exact causes that trigger an AF episode are not totally understood but multiple mechanisms are found to be in play. One such theory is the 'multiple wavelet theory' that suggests that the 'fractionalization of waves' that travel along the atrium leads to 'daughter wavelets' that results in multiple wavelet reentry. This theory proposes that the number of daughter wavelets maybe determined by different factors including the reduction in 'atrial conduction velocity', decreased 'atrial refractory period' and atrial mass. [Lawrence Rosenthal, (2009)] More recent studies have implicated ectopic sites in the pulmonary vein and the vena caval junctions as potential triggers of AF. This theory has been attested by cases of patients recovering after radio frequency ablation of the vena caval junctions. [Maurits et.al 2001]Typically, during an AF episode, the atrium may beat up to 300 times per minute while the ventricles may beat up to 175 times per minute . During AF, the conduction signal may originate in a different location of the atria (other than the usual SA node) or may be originating from the adjacent left pulmonary vein. This results in abnormal contractions of the atrium that significantly affects ventricular filling.. The result is pooling of blood in the atria that may lead to forma
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There are some symptoms associated with the hemodynamic instability caused by AF. The rapid and inefficient contractions of the ventricles affect the regular supply of blood to the lungs and other parts of the body. Typical symptoms of AF include palpitation (feeling of a fast beating heart), shortness of breath, fatigue, chest tightness, confusion, etc. [NIH]. Besides the general physical examination to check the heart beat and blood pressure and the blood tests to check for hyperthyroidism, there are special diagnostic tools available to detect AF. One of the most common tests is the EKG (electrocardiogram) test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. There are two different types of EKG namely the Holter monitor and the Event monitor. The Holter monitor is also known as ambulatory EKG. It is a small electronic device fitted with a few electrodes that are attached to the chest region and worn by the patient for a day or two to record the electrical activity of the heart during the normal activities of the patient. The patient is also asked to record the time and duration of abnormal events, which can later be cross-referenced by the doctor with the Holter readings. Event monitor, on the other hand is a similar device… READ MORE
Quoted Instructions for "Atrial Fibrillation" Assignment:
“Describe the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation - What is occurring in the body? What signs and symptoms would you observe from a patient who has atrial fibrillation? What studies are available to confirm the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation? What medicines, treatments, and or surgeries are used for a patient who has atrial fibrillation? What types of things, including teaching, would a nurse do for a patient who comes into the hospital with atrial fibrillation?
How to Reference "Atrial Fibrillation" Essay in a Bibliography
“Atrial Fibrillation.” A1-TermPaper.com, 2009, https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/atrial-fibrillation-represents-single/7037291. Accessed 5 Oct 2024.
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