Atrial Fibrillation
Cardiovascular · ~11% of blueprint- Pathophysiology
- Disorganized atrial electrical activity (often pulmonary vein foci) → irregular ventricular response, loss of atrial kick, stasis.
- Signs & Symptoms
- Palpitations, irregularly irregular pulse, fatigue, dyspnea; may be asymptomatic.
- Gold Standard Diagnosis
- ECG: irregularly irregular rhythm, absent P waves. Holter if paroxysmal.
- First-line Treatment
- Rate control (beta-blocker or non-DHP CCB) + anticoagulation per CHA₂DS₂-VASc. Cardiovert if unstable.
High-Yield Pearl
Anticoagulate by CHA₂DS₂-VASc, not by rhythm strategy. Unstable → immediate synchronized cardioversion. Early rhythm control/ablation is now favored (Class 1) in selected younger, symptomatic patients and in HFrEF.
Practice this
Learn it in your courses
Gross Anatomy
Physiology
Sources
Reviewed September 2026- 2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation — ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS, 2023
Checked against the guideline or standard reference the exam keys to. If it has moved, use Report an error below.
More Cardiovascular conditions
Got your lecture on Atrial Fibrillation? Turn it into flashcards and board-style questions, free. Drop it on the home page
All Cardiovascular