Atrial Fibrillation

ECG Features

Figure 1: ECG Strip[1]

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is distinguished by disorganized atrial electrical activity and contraction. The mechanisms underlying AF are not entirely understood but it requires an "initiating event" and "substrate for maintenance."[2]

Table 1: ECG Characteristics[3]

Clinical Significance[4]

  • The majority of AF episodes do not cause symptoms; however, some patients experience symptoms such as palpitations, dyspnea, fatigue, dizziness, and angina.
  • Atrial fibrillation can increase the risk of stroke and heart failure.
  • Calcium-channel blockers or beta-adrenergic blockers can help treat symptomatic patients.
  • Three clinical types of AF can be documented: paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent.

ECM Features

  • Beginning of Atrial Fibrillation

Figure 2a: ECM Analysis, Record 04043[5][6]

  • End of Atrial Fibrillation

Figure 2b: ECM Analysis, Record 04043[5][6]

ECM Examples

1. Additional Examples of Atrial Fibrillation (27)

2. Beginning of Atrial Fibrillation with Aberrated Beats

Figure 3: Record 201[6][7]

Figure 4: Record 202[6][7]

3. Transition from Atrial Fibrillation to Nodal Rhythm

Figure 5: Record 201[6][7]

Additional Information

References

  1. Atrial Fibrillation [Online image]. (2013). Retrieved July 19, 2016, from http://www.practicalclinicalskills.com/ekg-reference-guide-details?lessonID=11
  2. Atrial Fibrillation. (n.d.). Retrieved July 27, 2016, from http://lifeinthefastlane.com/ecg-library/atrial-fibrillation/
  3. Atrial Fibrillation. (n.d.). Retrieved July 27, 2016, from http://www.practicalclinicalskills.com/ekg-reference-guide-details?lessonID=11
  4. Atrial Fibrillation Clinical Presentation. (n.d.). Retrieved August 8, 2016, from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/151066-clinical
  5. MIT-BIH Atrial Fibrillation Database. (1983). Retrieved June, 2016, from https://physionet.org/physiobank/database/afdb/
  6. Goldberger AL, Amaral LAN, Glass L, Hausdorff JM, Ivanov PCh, Mark RG, Mietus JE, Moody GB, Peng C-K, Stanley HE. PhysioBank, PhysioToolkit, and PhysioNet: Components of a New Research Resource for Complex Physiologic Signals. Circulation101(23):e215-e220 [Circulation Electronic Pages;http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/101/23/e215]; 2000 (June 13).
  7. MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database. (1980). Retrieved June, 2016, from https://physionet.org/physiobank/database/mitdb/