atrial fibrillation/ arrhythmias

Question 1

what classifies paroxysmal AF?

Answer 1

episodes stop within 48 hrs with treatment

Question 2

what classifies persistent AF?

Answer 2

episodes last more than 7 days

Question 3

what classifies permanent AF?

Answer 3

present at all times

Question 4

shockable rhythms?

Answer 4

ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation

Question 5

2 non-shockable rhythms?

Answer 5

pulseless electrical activity
asystole

Question 6

acronym for causes of arrhythmias?

Answer 6

SMITH
Sepsis
Mitral pathology
Ischaemic heart disease
Thyrotoxicosis (hyperthyroidism)
Hypertension

Question 7

2 main aims of management?

Answer 7

rate/rhythm control
anticoagulation

Question 8

when to use rhythm control?

Answer 8

cannot tolerate or contraindicated in rate control

Question 9

drugs for rate control?

Answer 9

beta blockers
non-dihydropyridine CCB (diltiazem)
cardiac glycoside (digoxin)

Question 10

drugs for rhythm control?

Answer 10

flecainide
amiodarone

Question 11

type of anticoagulants used?

Answer 11

direct acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs)
vitamin K antagonists
heparins

Question 12

what to consider before using anticoagulants?

Answer 12

CHADS-VASC and ORBIT score

Question 13

what are pro arrhythmias?

Answer 13

drug-induced arrhythmias

Question 14

What is AF?

Answer 14

irregularly irregular pulse due to disorganised electrical activity in atria (fibrillation)

Question 15

effects of AF?

Answer 15

tachycardia
irregular pulse
HF due to impaired filling of ventricles in diastole
increased risk of stroke

Question 16

mechanism of action of DOACs (excluding dabigatran)?

Answer 16

direct and reversible inhibitors of factor Xa to prevent thrombin formation

Question 17

mechanism of action dabigatran?

Answer 17

reversible inhibitor of free thrombin, fibrin-bound thrombin, and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation