Knowledge Base

Atrial Fibrillation

Knowledge Base

title: "Atrial Fibrillation"

Atrial Fibrillation

Key Facts

AF is irregularly irregular with no distinct P waves.

Unstable AF (shock, ischaemia, pulmonary oedema, altered consciousness) requires synchronised cardioversion.

Overview

This article covers recognition and a high-level ED approach (rate vs rhythm, stability first).

ECG examples

Atrial fibrillation (schematic)
Atrial fibrillation (example ECG)— LITFL ECG Library (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
AF (left) vs Normal Sinus Rhythm (right) - note irregular RR intervals and absent P waves in AF— Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

ED priorities (high level)

  1. Assess stability and treat ABCs
  2. Look for triggers (sepsis, hypoxia, PE, thyrotoxicosis, alcohol)
  3. Rate control vs rhythm strategy depends on context and duration

Sources

  • CC Bible
  • LITFL ECG Library

Test Your Knowledge

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Related Topics

See also: Shock: The Complete Guide, Pulmonary Embolism