AF( Atrial fibrillation) Assessment. Some individuals do not realize they have atrial fibrillation (A-fib). A-fib may be identified by a physician listening to the heart using a stethoscope during a medical examination for another purpose. A physician may order a battery of tests to identify atrial fibrillation (A-fib) or rule out other illnesses with similar symptoms. Tests may consist of: Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This brief and painless examination monitors the heart's electrical activity. On the chest and occasionally the arms and legs, electrodes are adhered with adhesive patches. The electrodes are wired to a computer that shows the test findings. An ECG can reveal whether the heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or not at all. ECG is the primary diagnostic tool for atrial fibrillation. Blood testing. These allow a physician to rule out thyroid issues and discover other compounds in the blood that may cause atrial fibrillation. Holter monitor. During normal everyday activities, this compact, portable ECG gadget is carried in a pocket or worn on a belt or shoulder strap. Continuously monitors the heart's activity for at least 24 hours. Event recorder. This gadget is comparable to a Holter monitor, except it only records for a few minutes at specific times. The monitor is normally worn for 30 days, which is longer than a Holter monitor. Generally, you press a button when experiencing symptoms. When an irregular heart rhythm is identified, some devices automatically record. Echocardiogram. This noninvasive examination creates pictures of the heart's size, structure, and motion using sound waves. This is a stress test. Stress testing, often known as exercise testing, involves conducting heart tests while exercising on a treadmill or stationary cycle. Chest radiograph. X-ray images allow a physician to examine the lungs and heart Treatment The treatment for atrial fibrillation varies on the duration of the condition, the severity of the symptoms, and the underlying reason of the irregular heartbeat. The treatment's objectives are to: Resetting the heart rate Regulate the heart rate Avoid blood clots that can cause a stroke. Treatment for atrial fibrillation may include: Clinical PEARL Reset therapy for the heart rhythm (cardioversion) Surgical or catheter-based techniques Together, you and your specialists will determine the optimal course of therapy for you. It is essential that you adhere to your atrial fibrillation treatment regimen. If A-fib is not effectively managed, it can develop to problems such as strokes and heart failure. Medications You may be administered drugs to regulate the rate of your heartbeat and return it to a normal level. Also suggested are medications to prevent blood clots, a potentially fatal consequence of A-fib. The following medications are used to treat atrial fibrillation: Beta blockers. These drugs can help reduce resting and active heart rate. Calcium channel inhibitors These medications slow the heart rate, however patients with heart failure or low blood pressure may need to avoid them. Digoxin. This medicine may be able to moderate the heart rate at rest, but not as effectively during physical exercise. The majority of individuals require additional or alternative drugs, including calcium channel blockers and beta blockers. Medications used to treat arrhythmias. Not only are these medications used to manage the heart rate, but also to maintain a regular cardiac rhythm. Antiarrhythmics are often used less frequently than medications that control heart rate since they have more negative effects. Blood-thinning medications. A physician may prescribe a blood-thinning medicine to lower the risk of stroke or other organ damage caused by blood clots (anticoagulant). Warfarin (Jantaven), apixaban (Eliquis), dabigatran (Pradaxa), edoxaban (Savaysa), and rivaroxaban are blood thinners (Xarelto). If you are on warfarin, you will be required to undergo routine blood tests to monitor the drug's effects. Cardioversion treatment If A-fib symptoms are bothersome or if this is the first episode of atrial fibrillation, a physician may attempt cardioversion to reset the heart rhythm (sinus rhythm). Cardioversion may be accomplished in two ways: Electromagnetic cardioversion This method of resetting the heart rhythm involves applying paddles or patches (electrodes) to the chest and transmitting electric shocks to the heart. Chemical cardioversion. Medications either intravenously or orally are used to reset the cardiac rhythm. Cardioversion is often performed as a scheduled hospital operation, however it can also be performed in emergency settings. A few weeks before to a scheduled procedure, warfarin (Jantoven) or another blood thinner may be administered to lower the risk of blood clots and strokes. Anti-arrhythmic drugs may be taken indefinitely after electrical cardioversion to prevent recurrence occurrences of atrial fibrillation. Even with treatment, there remains a possibility of a recurrence of atrial fibrillation. Surgical or catheter-based techniques a cardiac image during AV node ablation AV node ablation Display a dialog box If A-fib does not improve with meds or other treatments, a physician may suggest cardiac ablation. Ablation is sometimes the initial treatment for certain individuals. Cardiac ablation creates scars in the heart using heat (radiofrequency energy) or extreme cold (cryoablation) to block aberrant electrical signals and restore a normal heartbeat. A catheter is inserted into a blood vessel, typically in the groin, and into the heart by a physician. Multiple catheters may be utilized. The cold or hot energy is administered through catheter-tip sensors. Ablation is performed less frequently using a scalpel during open-heart surgery. There are a variety of cardiac ablation types. The type utilized to treat atrial fibrillation is determined by the patient's individual symptoms, overall health, and upcoming heart surgery. For instance, the following cardiac ablation techniques may be used to treat atrial fibrillation: Atrioventricular (AV) node ablation. At the AV node, heat or cold energy is given to the heart tissue to sever the electrical signaling link. Following AV node ablation, a pacemaker is required for survival. Maze procedure. A physician creates a pattern of scar tissue (the maze) in the upper chambers of the heart using heat, cold, or a knife. Due to the fact that scar tissue does not transmit electrical signals, the maze disrupts the errant cardiac signals that induce atrial fibrillation. Using a scalpel to produce the maze pattern necessitates open-heart surgery. This process is known as the surgical maze procedure. It is the preferred approach for treating atrial fibrillation in patients who require additional heart surgery, such as coronary artery bypass grafting or heart valve replacement. Following cardiac ablation, atrial fibrillation may recur. If this occurs, a second cardiac ablation or alternative heart treatment may be advised. After cardiac ablation, it may be necessary to take blood thinners for life to prevent strokes. If a person with A-fib is unable to take blood-thinning drugs, a physician may propose a catheter surgery to seal a tiny sac (appendage) in the upper left chamber of the heart, where most A-fib-related clots occur. This is known as left atrial appendage closure. A closure device is gently guided to the sac with a catheter. Once the implant has been positioned, the catheter is removed. The gadget is left in place permanently. Some individuals undergoing heart surgery may also undergo surgery to seal the left atrial appendage.
