Is a common arrhythmia of the heart

ECG is the modality of diagnosis

Typically irregularly irregular rhythm is noted with no P waves. Beats are typically 100-300 and presence of an “f” wave

Cardiac conditions closely associated are coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, rheumatic mitral valve disease, and hypertension.

Risk factors can be alcohol intoxication, surgery, thyroid conditions, hypoxia and others

Can be the underlying causes of 30 to 40 thousand strokes a year. The cause is referred to an embolic stroke.

The risk of stroke greatly increases as your age does

Treatment of Atrial fibrillation consists with several goals in mind:

1.) Anticoagulants
2.) Conversion
3.) Long-term
4.) Rate control

Medication involved:
· Heparin
· Warfarin
· Aspirin
· Ticlopidine
· Clopidogrel

Rate control medications are different and are given depending on situation and by medical decision