Atrial Fibrillation: Clinical Diagnosis and Management

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the heart rhythm which is characterized by rapid or irregular beating of the atria. It may start as short periods of abnormal beating that become long or constant over time. Occasionally, it may present symptoms such as heart palpitations, light-headedness, chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting. The diagnostic evaluation involves a review of medical history and a physical examination, in combination with a complete blood count, ECG, serum thyroid stimulating hormone level and transthoracic echocardiogram. The management of atrial fibrillation is aimed at the prevention of circulatory instability and stroke. Rhythm control or rate control, and in some cases cardioversion are used to achieve circulatory stability. Anticoagulants are generally prescribed to reduce the chances of stroke. This book contains some path-breaking studies in atrial fibrillation. Also included herein is a detailed explanation of the clinical diagnosis and management strategies for atrial fibrillation. This book is meant for students who are looking for an elaborate reference text on cardiology.