AF and stroke Flashcards
who is AF common in?
age >55
what are the symptoms of AF?
breathlessness, palpitations, chest discomfort, fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance, dizziness
what is paroxysmal AF?
self-limiting episodes lasting no more than 7 days
what are the underlying causes of AF?
high BP, hyperthyroidism, heart valve disease, ischemic heart disease
what is suggestive of poor coagulation?
2 INR levels higher than 5 OR 1 INR level higher than 8 in the past 6 months
emergency treatment for acute AF life threatening headmodynamic disability?
emergency electrical cardioversion to achieve anticoagulation
emergency treatment for acute AF NOT life threatening?
give rate or rhythm control if onset is less than 48hr but if onset is more than 48hours or uncertain give rate control
what is pharmacological cardio version?
IV amiodarone or flecainide
rate control is preferred first line treatment except when…..
- AF is new onset
- Atrial flutter suitable for ablation strategy
- AF with reversible cause
- Rhythm control is more suitable
what drugs are used in the pill in the pocket strategy?
flecainide and propafenone
what 2 processes are involved in destruction of neuronal cells?
apoptosis - occurs within 1 hour
necrosis - occurs within 6 hours
initial management of stroke?
alteplase - within 4.5hrs
aspirin - 300mg for 14 days (start within 24hrs)
assess swallowing ability
long term anti-platelet management for stroke?
ischaemic stroke -clopidogrel 75md OD
TIA - MR dipyridamole 200mg BD AND aspirin 75mg OD
when is anticoagulant treatment given for stroke and TIA pts?
stroke - delay treatment for 2 weeks
TIA - start immediately
what are the 4 common underlying causes of AF?
high BP, ischaemic heart disease, heart valve disease, hyperthyroidism
what does the LVEF have to be before giving dabigatran and when can you give it to above 65+?
less than 40% and 65 or older with one of the following; DM, coronary artery disease, HTN
what can contribute to poor anti-coagulation control?
illness, interacting drugs, lifestyle factors, cognitive function
when would you consider left appendage atrial occlusion (LAAO)?
consider this if anti-coagulation is contraindicated or not tolerated
why would you not consider digoxin?
only if patient is sedentary as it doesnt work on exertion
what would be initial rate control monotherapy?
BB (other than sotalol) or CCB
who should you NOT offer flecainide and propafenone?
to people with known ischaemic or structural heart disease
who should the pill in the pocket strategy be considered for?
those who have no history of LVD, or valvular or ischaemic heart disease and have a hx of infrequent symptomatic episodes of paroxysmal AF and have a systolic blood pressure greater than 100 mmHg and a resting heart rate above 70 bpm and are able to understand how to, and when to, take the medication.
how would you reduce risk of postoperative AF?
amiodarone, standard beta blocker (not sotalol) and rate-limiting CCB
advantages of NOAC?
- efficacy and safety appear similar to warfarin
- rapid onset of action
- does NOT require INR monitoring
- fewer drug interactions