Medical history (history) is an important component in the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF). Family History Do you have relatives who suffer from cardiac arrhythmias? Social history Is there any evidence of psychosocial stress or strain due to your family situation? Do you have a job that exposes you to noise pollution? Current medical history/systemic … Atrial Fibrillation: Medical History
Cardiovascular System (I00-I99). Atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia (AVRT) – belongs to paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and results in typical seizure-like episodes with tachycardia (heartbeat too fast: >100 beats per minute), dizziness, and possibly signs of acute heart failure (heart failure) Extrasystoles (heart stutter) – heartbeat that occurs outside the physiological heart rhythm. Sinus tachycardia – increased heart … Atrial Fibrillation: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis
The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by atrial fibrillation (VHF): Respiratory system (J00-J99) Sleep-related respiratory disorders: Obstructive sleep-associated breathing disorders (obstructed airways). Central sleep-associated respiratory disorders, in which the airways remain open but the breathing pattern changes with decreased breathing and apnea (sleep apnea) Cardiovascular system (I00-I99). … Atrial Fibrillation: Consequential Diseases
EHRA classification* of symptoms in atrial fibrillation (ESC 2010* * ). Stage Symptoms EHRA 1 No symptoms, asymptomatic atrial fibrillation EHRA 2 Mild symptomatology only,no effect on activities of daily living EHRA 3 Pronounced symptomatology,affecting activities of daily living. EHRA 4 Symptomatology invalidating,daily activities not possible * European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA)* * European Society … Atrial Fibrillation: Classification
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: Assessment of consciousness using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; furthermore: Inspection (viewing). Skin and mucous membranes Neck vein congestion? Central cyanosis? (bluish discoloration of skin and central mucous membranes, e.g., tongue). Abdomen … Atrial Fibrillation: Examination
Mandatory medical device diagnostics. VHF opportunity screening by pulse measurement and subsequent ECG, in patients ≥ 65 years of age (recommendation grade/evidence grade IB), and regular search for asymptomatic atrial high-frequency episodes (AHRE) in pacemaker patients (IB)Note: The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) does not make a recommendation on ECG screening for atrial fibrillation … Atrial Fibrillation: Diagnostic Tests
An at-risk group indicates the possibility that the disease may be associated with the risk of vital nutrient deficiency. The complaint of atrial fibrillation indicates a vital nutrient deficiency for Vitamin B6 Within the framework of micronutrient medicine, the following vital substances (micronutrients) are used for prevention. Magnesium The above vital substance recommendations were created … Atrial Fibrillation: Micronutrient Therapy
1st order Radiofrequency ablation (ablation therapy) – method of permanently eliminating atrial fibrillation using a cardiac catheter. In this procedure, the excitation conduction pathway leading to the arrhythmia is obliterated. According to ESC guidelines (European Society of Cardiology, ESC), catheter ablation is primarily recommended for symptomatic patients in whom at least one previous attempt at … Atrial Fibrillation: Surgical Therapy
Prevention of atrial fibrillation (AF) requires attention to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Diet Opulent meal (sumptuous food) Micronutrient deficiency (vital substances) – see Prevention with micronutrients. Consumption of stimulants Alcohol (woman: > 15 g/day; man: > 20 g/day) Holiday heart syndrome: alcohol-induced arrhythmia]; significant dose-dependent deterioration in left ventricular function after alcohol … Atrial Fibrillation: Prevention
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate atrial fibrillation (VHF): Leading symptoms Irregular (arrhythmia absoluta) and also usually too fast pulse (tachyarrhythmia absoluta (TAA) – pulse: > 100 beats per minute). Palpitations (feeling the heartbeat) (43%). Vertigo (dizziness) (37%), syncope (momentary loss of consciousness). Other possible symptoms: Signs of heart failure (cardiac insufficiency). Dyspnea (shortness … Atrial Fibrillation: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs
Pathogenesis (disease development) Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a cardiac arrhythmia in which there is intraatrial (“within an atrium (located)”) excitation circuitry due to micro-reentry (= reentry of excitations), resulting in atrial fibrillation rates of 350 to 600 beats/min. Due to the frequency filtering function of the AV node, this results in irregular atrioventricular (“concerning the … Atrial Fibrillation: Causes
General measures Avoiding physical inactivity and physical overload. Nicotine restriction (abstaining from tobacco use). Alcohol abstinence (complete abstinence from alcohol) or limited alcohol consumption (men: max. 25 g alcohol per day; women: max. 12 g alcohol per day). Significant dose-dependent deterioration in left ventricular function after alcohol (ejection fraction/ejection fraction (EF): reduction from an average … Atrial Fibrillation: Treatment
