#ATRIAL FLUTTER MANAGEMENT SKIN#

On ECG, atrial fibrillation presents with the typical narrow complex 'irregularly irregular' pattern with no distinguishable p-waves. Depending on the severity of the atrial fibrillation, signs, and symptoms can range from none to evidence of acute heart failure.Īside from a detailed history and examine, the ECG is critical in making the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. An abdominal exam should consist of palpating the aorta and listening for abdominal bruits.

#ATRIAL FLUTTER MANAGEMENT SKIN#

Extremities should be evaluated for edema, peripheral pulses in both upper and lower extremities, and integumentary signs of PVD such as hair loss and skin breakdown. A pulmonary exam should consist of auscultation, percussion, and specialized tests, if needed, to assess pulmonary status. A cardiovascular exam should consist of carefully auscultating all 4 cardiac posts and palpating for apical impulse. A physical exam should include the patient's overall appearance (obese), examine the patient neck for signs of JVD, carotid bruits, circumference. In addition, history is imperative in identifying risk factors such as hypertension, history of valvular, structure, or ischemic heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, smoking, alcohol intake, illicit drug use, history of rheumatic fever/heart disease, history of pericarditis, hyperlipidemia, among others. A complete history should focus on symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, increased lower extremity swelling, dyspnea with exertion, dizziness, among others. History and physical exam are crucial for diagnosing and risk stratifying patients with atrial fibrillation.

Treatments include anticoagulation, rate control medication, rhythm control medication, cardioversion, ablation, and other interventional cardiac procedures. Although atrial fibrillation may be a permanent disease, various treatments have been developed, and risk modifying strategies to help reduce the risk of stroke in patients that remain in atrial fibrillation exist. Symptoms vary from asymptomatic to symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, fast heart rate, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, diaphoresis (severe sweating), and generalized fatigue. Atrial fibrillation is the leading cardiac cause of stroke. Risk factors for atrial fibrillation include advanced age, high blood pressure, underlying heart and lung disease, congenital heart disease, and increased alcohol consumption. Due to its rhythm irregularity, blood flow through the heart becomes turbulent and has a high chance of forming a thrombus (blood clot) which can ultimately dislodge and cause a stroke. Is characterized as a tachyarrhythmia, which means that the heart rate is often fast. This arrhythmia may be paroxysmal (less than 7 days) or persistent (more than 7 days). It is due to abnormal electrical activity within the atria of the heart causing them to fibrillate. But over time, atrial flutter often returns since cardioversion alone does not correct the underlying causes of an abnormal heart rhythm.Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of heart arrhythmia. This commonly will restore your normal heart rhythm. electrical cardioversion therapy, which involves using a special machine to send electrical energy to the heart muscle.Medication alone is successful in 20 to 30 percent of people with atrial flutter. medication to control your heart rhythm.Other treatment options for atrial flutter include:

With atypical atrial flutter, cardiac ablation is successful for 60 to 70 percent of patients, since additional scarring in the heart chamber may develop over time and cause different atypical atrial flutters. But it is unlikely you will need general anesthesia requiring the use of a ventilator.Ĭardiac ablation is very effective for people with typical atrial flutter, providing a cure for 90 percent of these patients. This procedure uses heat energy or cold energy to destroy a small area of heart tissue that is causing the atrial flutter. Cardiac Ablationĭuring a cardiac ablation, we will insert thin, flexible tubes into your groin and guide them to the affected area. We will develop a detailed treatment plan for you, which may include one or more of the therapies below. Our heart specialists have extensive experience in treating people with atrial flutter and AFib. If not, your doctor may recommend treatment. Sometimes atrial flutter goes away by itself.

Atrial flutter management