Atrial Fibrillation Case Studies

Approximately 2.2 million adults in the United States are affected by atrial fibrillation making it the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia (Ryder & Benjamin, 1999). Atrial fibrillation describes a condition where the electrical signals of the heart are conducted in a rapid and disorganized manner. This uncoordinated conduction causes the two upper chambers of the heart, the atria, to contract very fast and irregularly, thus allowing blood to pool in the two atria.
Independent Risk Factors and Approximate Risk Value
Age 2.5
Male sex 2
Hypertension 2
Valvular Heart Disease 2.7
LV systolic dysfunction 5
Obesity 2.3
Alcohol consumption 2
Prehypertension 1.8
Pulse pressure 1.8
Sleep apnea 4
Diastolic Dysfunction 3
Genetics 4
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy 2.5
Chronic kidney disease 5
Inflammation 2.5
Pericardial fat 2
Tobacco use
Atrial fibrillation can present itself in three different forms. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or intermittent atrial fibrillation occurs suddenly and will terminate with little to no intervention within seven days of the event. Approximately 35-66% of atrial fibrillation cases are defined as paroxysmal. Persistent atrial fibrillation is when the abnormal heart rhythm continues for more than a week and may require medication to restore normal electrical signaling. Longstanding
The pharmacological aspect of treatment contains three distinct types of medications available that are often taken simultaneously. Antithrombotic or blood thinners are prescribed to reduce the risk of a thromboembolic event occurring due to the hypercoagulability of the static blood in the atria. Medications such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and digoxin are prescribed to control/reduce the heart rate. Finally, medication is prescribed to attempt to restore normal heart