Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

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Editors-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D.[1] and Ann Slater[2], R.N., B.S.N.

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Related Key Words and Synonyms: PAF, paroxysmal AF

Overview

PAF is defined as recurrent episodes of atrial fibrillation that terminate spontaneously in less than 7 days. Oftentimes it terminates within 24 hours.

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Pathophysiology & Etiology

Molecular Biology

Genetics

Natural History and Complications

Diagnosis

Common Causes

Complete Differential Diagnosis of the Causes of ...

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Complete Differential Diagnosis of the Causes of ...

(By organ system)

Cardiovascular Cardiomyopathy, Congestive heart failure (CHF), following coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), Coronary artery disease, Hypertension, Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), Mitral stenosis, Mitral regurgitation, Myocarditis, Pericarditis, Sick sinus syndrome (SSS), ST elevation MI,
Chemical / poisoning No underlying causes
Dermatologic No underlying causes
Drug Side Effect No underlying causes
Ear Nose Throat No underlying causes
Endocrine Hyperthyroidism
Environmental No underlying causes
Gastroenterologic No underlying causes
Genetic No underlying causes
Hematologic No underlying causes
Iatrogenic Cardiac catheterization, coronary artery bypass grafting
Infectious Disease No underlying causes
Musculoskeletal / Ortho No underlying causes
Neurologic No underlying causes
Nutritional / Metabolic Caffeine, alcohol withdrawal
Obstetric/Gynecologic No underlying causes
Oncologic No underlying causes
Opthalmologic No underlying causes
Overdose / Toxicity No underlying causes
Psychiatric No underlying causes
Pulmonary Pneumonia, Pulmonary embolism
Renal / Electrolyte Hypokalemia
Rheum / Immune / Allergy No underlying causes
Sexual No underlying causes
Trauma No underlying causes
Urologic No underlying causes
Miscellaneous No underlying causes

History and Symptoms

The most common symptom is palpitations. Often the patient describes an intermittent fluttering sensation in the chest. Less common symptoms include dizziness or lightheadedness, syncope, weakness, shortness of breath and chest pain. The patient may be asymptomatic, and the diagnosis may only be picked up on a screening EKG.

Physical Examination

Appearance of the Patient

Vital Signs

The pulse may be irregularly irregular if the patient is sustaining an active episode of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Skin

Eyes

Ear Nose and Throat

Heart

Lungs

Abdomen

Extremities

Neurologic

Other

Laboratory Findings

Electrolyte and Biomarker Studies

The patients thyroid function tests should be checked to exclude hyperthyroidism. Hypokalemia should be excluded.

Electrocardiogram

Often the patient is in normal sinus rhythm. When they are in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, the following findings are present:

  1. Absent P waves
  2. Irregularly irregular ventricular response rate. Regular RR intervals are possible in the presence of AV block or interference due to ventricular or junctional tachycardia.
  3. An atrial rate that ranges from 400 to 700 BPM.
  4. Sometimes lead V1 may look as though there is atrial flutter. This may be because the electrode overlies a portion of the RA with rhythmic activity.
  5. Some authors believe that fine f waves (<.5 mm) are associated with coronary artery disease and that coarse F waves are associated with LA enlargement and rheumatic heart disease.
  6. The ventricular rate is usually between 100 and 180 BPM.
  7. If the atrial rate is greater than 200 BPM, then consider WPW or an accessory pathway.
  8. In the presence of AV junctional disease, the ventricular rate may be below 70 bpm.
  9. A rapid, irregular, sustained, wide-QRS-complex tachycardia strongly suggests AF with conduction over an accessory pathway or AF with underlying bundle-branch block.
  10. Complete AV block is indicated by a slow ventricular rhythm with a regular RR interval.
  11. In patients with electronic pacemakers, diagnosis of AF may require temporary inhibition of the pacemaker to expose atrial fibrillatory activity.
  12. Differential diagnosis includes an EKG artifact such as a tremor. The oscillations in this case are largest in the limb leads.

Holter Monitoring

Ambulatory event or Holter montoring is a cost effective tool that maybe considered. It provides a view of 2-3 leads over an extended time period, and sometimes is used as a diagnostic tool for the assessment of PAF.

Holter Monitoring Is Useful Article [1]

Chest X Ray

While chronic atrial fibrillation is associated with an enlarged left atrial size, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is generally not associated with an increase in left atrial size [2].

MRI and CT

Echocardiography or Ultrasound

Other Imaging Findings

Pathology

Gross Pathology

Microscopic Pathology

Other Diagnostic Studies

Risk Stratification and Prognosis

Treatment

Pharmacotherapy

Acute Pharmacotherapies

Chronic Pharmacotherapies

Surgery and Device Based Therapy

Indications for Surgery

Pre-Operative Assessment

Post-Operative Management

Transplantation

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

"The Way I Like To Do It ..." Tips and Tricks From Clinicians Around The World

Suggested Revisions to the Current Guidelines

References

  1. "Holter Monitoring Is Useful * Response -- Weir et al. 35 (7): e336 -- Stroke". Retrieved 2011-01-27.
  2. Rostagno C, Olivo G, Comeglio M, Bertini G, Gensini GF, Galanti G (1996). "Left atrial size changes in patients with paroxysmal lone atrial fibrillation. An echocardiographic follow-up". Angiology. 47 (8): 797–801. PMID 8712483. Retrieved 2011-01-27. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

External Links and Patient Resources

Acknowledgements

The content on this page was first contributed by: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D.

Contributors

Ann Slater


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