Atrial fibrillation other imaging findings

Resident Survival Guide

File:Critical Pathways.gif

Sinus rhythm

Atrial fibrillation

Atrial Fibrillation Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Atrial Fibrillation from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Special Groups Postoperative AF Acute Myocardial Infarction Wolff-Parkinson-White Preexcitation Syndrome Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Hyperthyroidism Pulmonary Diseases Pregnancy ACS and/or PCI or valve intervention Heart failure
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram EKG Examples A-Fib with LBBB
Chest X Ray
Echocardiography
Holter Monitoring and Exercise Stress Testing
Cardiac MRI
Treatment
Rate and Rhythm Control
Cardioversion Overview Electrical Cardioversion Pharmacological Cardioversion
Anticoagulation Overview Warfarin Converting from or to Warfarin Converting from or to Parenteral Anticoagulants Dabigatran
Maintenance of Sinus Rhythm
Surgery Catheter Ablation AV Nodal Ablation Surgical Ablation Cardiac Surgery
Specific Patient Groups
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Supportive Trial Data
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Case Studies
Case #1
Atrial fibrillation other imaging findings On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Atrial fibrillation other imaging findings
CDC on Atrial fibrillation other imaging findings
Atrial fibrillation other imaging findings in the news
Blogs on Atrial fibrillation other imaging findings
Directions to Hospitals Treating Atrial fibrillation other imaging findings
Risk calculators and risk factors for Atrial fibrillation other imaging findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Other diagnostic studies include the Holter monitor to assess symptomatic episodes of atrial fibrillation over a 24 hour period, and exercise stress testing to assess a how a patient's heart rate responds to exertion. The main benefits to performing an exercise stress test are to reproduce exercise induced atrial fibrillation, and to exclude ischemia before initiating treatment with type 1C antiarrhythmic medications.

Other Imaging Studies

Ambulatory Holter Monitoring

Main article: Holter monitor

A Holter monitor is a wearable ambulatory heart monitor that continuously monitors the heart rate and heart rhythm for a short duration, typically 24 hours. In individuals with symptoms of significant shortness of breath with exertion or palpitations on a regular basis, a holter monitor may be of benefit to determine if rapid heart rates (or unusually slow heart rates) during atrial fibrillation are the cause of the symptoms.

Exercise Stress Testing

Main article: Cardiac stress test

Some individuals with atrial fibrillation do well with normal activity but develop shortness of breath with exertion. It may be unclear if the shortness of breath is due to a blunted heart rate response to exertion due to excessive AV node blocking agents, a very rapid heart rate during exertion, or due to other underlying conditions such as chronic lung disease or coronary ischemia. An exercise stress test will evaluate the individual's heart rate response to exertion and determine if the AV node blocking agents are contributing to the symptoms. As a summary the main benefits of performing an exercise stress testing:

• If the adequacy of rate control is in question (permanent AF)
• To reproduce exercise induced AF
• To exclude ischemia before treatment of selected patients with a type IC antiarrhythmic drug