Epidemiology
The most common sustained arrhythmia worldwide
What is Atrial Fibrillation?
AF raises the risk of this devastating complication roughly fivefold (Heart Foundation)
What is stroke?
At the junction of the SVC and right atrium, this structure normally starts sinus rhythm
What is the sinoatrial (SA) node?
AF removes this coordinated atrial contribution to ventricular filling
What is the atrial kick?
What is missing before each QRS?
What are P waves?
Frank’s excess body weight makes this modifiable risk factor relevant
What is overweight/obesity?
Myocardial sleeves extending into these vessels commonly fire AF-triggering impulses
What are the pulmonary veins?
Chaotic atrial impulses arrive at ~350-600/min and only some are conducted, causing an irregular ventricular rhythm. Name the structure
What is the AV node?
Describe the R-R pattern
What is irregularly irregular?
This left atrial pouch is the commonest site of thrombus in non-valvular AF. Name it and say why
What is the left atrial appendage?
Stasis, endothelial injury and hypercoagulability together explain clot formation in AF. Name this triad
What is Virchow’s triad?
What is atrial flutter?