Atrial Fibrillation Case Study

Classification of atrial fibrillation begins with differentiating a first detectable episode, irrespective of whether it is symptomatic or self-limited. Published guideline from an America College of Cardiology (ACC), America Heart Association (AHA) and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recommend classification of AF into the following 3 patterns; Paroxysmal AF - Paroxysmal AF – Episodes of AF that terminate spontaneously within 7 days, Persistent AF - Episodes of AF that last more than 7 days and may require either pharmacologic or electrical intervention, Permanent AF - AF that has persisted for more than a year. If a patient is diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, the ideal goals of management may include: restoring the heart to a normal rhythm (rhythm control), reducing an overly high heart rate
Patient who have AF tend to have larger left atria and larger pulmonary veins which could potentially lead to the further propagation of AF. As the cardiac remodelling process continues, the changes in the size and shape of the ventricle become more exaggerated, cardiac function deteriorates and heart failure ensues. Thromboembolism defined as the obstruction of a blood vessel by a blood clot that has become dislodged from another site in the circulation and it is a severe complication in atrial fibrillation. According to the “Tromso” study, it indicates that among 29,967 participants (55.7% were male), 1662 participants with AF were diagnosed with thromboembolism (VTE) and about 50 (9.3%) subjects who experienced subsequent atrial fibrillation after a VTE event. Thrombus is most likely to manifest as Venous Thrombosis, it most commonly affects leg vein, such as the femoral vein. Haemorrhagic and ischemic may occur in patients with AF either as the intitail presenting manifestion of AF or despite appropriate antithrombotic