Alternative names

AF; A-fib

Definition   

Atrial fibrillation/flutter is a heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia). It usually involves a rapid heart rate, in which the upper heart chambers (atria) are stimulated to contract in a very disorganized and abnormal manner.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors   

Arrhythmias are caused by a disruption of the normal functioning of the electrical conduction system of the heart. Normally, the atria and ventricles contract in a coordinated manner.

In atrial fibrillation and flutter, the atria are stimulated to contract very quickly and differently from the normal activity originating from the sinoatrial node. This results in ineffective and uncoordinated contraction of the atria in atrial fibrillation, and in a peculiarly organized contraction pattern in atrial flutter.

The condition can be caused by impulses which are transmitted to the ventricles in an irregular fashion or by some impulses failing to be transmitted. This makes the ventricles beat irregularly, which leads to an irregular (and usually fast) pulse in atrial fibrillation.

In atrial flutter, however, the ventricles may beat rapidly, but regularly. If the atrial fibrillation/flutter is part of a condition called sick sinus syndrome, the sinus node may not work properly, and the heart rate may alternate between slow and fast. The result may be not enough blood to meet the needs of the body.

Underlying causes of atrial fibrillation and flutter include dysfunction of the sinus node (the "natural pacemaker" of the heart) and a number of heart and lung disorders, including coronary artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, mitral valve disorders, pericarditis, and others.

Hypertension is a very common condition that can cause arrhythmias, as can recent heavy alcohol use (binge drinking)or an overactive thyroid. Some cases of atrial fibrillation or flutter occur in the setting of a heart attack or soon after surgery on the heart.

Atrial fibrillation can affect both men and women. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation increases with age and varies from 1 case out of 200 persons for people younger than 60 years, to almost 9 cases out of 100 persons for people over 80 years.

Symptoms   

• Sensation of feeling heart beat (palpitations)
• Pulse may feel rapid, racing, pounding, fluttering, or it can feel too slow
• Pulse may feel regular or irregular
• Dizziness, light-headedness
• Fainting
• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Breathing difficulty, lying down
• Sensation of tightness in the chest

Note: Symptoms may begin or stop suddenly.

Signs and tests   

Listening to the heart with a stethoscope shows fast heart beat. The pulse may feel rapid, irregular, or both. The normal heart rate is 60 to 100, but in atrial fibrillation/flutter the heart rate may be 100 to 175. Blood pressure may be normal or low.

An ECG shows atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Continuous ambulatory cardiac monitoring -- Holter monitor (24 hour test) -- may be necessary because the condition is often sporadic (occurring at some times but not others).

Tests to determine the presence of underlying heart diseases may include:

• Echocardiogram
• Exercise treadmill ECG
• CT angiography
• Coronary angiography
• Electrophysiologic study (EPS) may be needed in some cases

Treatment   

In certain cases, atrial fibrillation may require emergency treatment to convert the arrhythmia to normal (sinus) rhythm. This treatment may involve either with electrical cardioversion or intravenous (IV) drugs such as amiodarone. This is done if the patient is feeling acutely unwell and is usually done in a hospital.

Long-term treatment varies depending on the cause of the atrial fibrillation or flutter. Medications may include beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, digoxin or other medications (such as anti-arrhythmic drugs), which slow the heartbeat or the conduction of the impulse from the atria to the ventricles.

Blood thinners, such as heparin or Warfarin, may be given to reduce the risk of a thromboembolic event such as a stroke.

Other drugs can be used to revert the patient’s heart from fibrillation to a normal heart rhythm, and to keep the patient in this rhythm. Drugs such as flecainide, sotalol or amiodarone are useful in this respect and can used to revert the heart. The cardiologist will assess various factors to determine which of these drugs will benefit the patient the most with safety.

Some selected patients with atrial fibrillation, rapid heart rates, and intolerance to medication may require a catheter procedure on the atria called radiofrequency ablation.

For some patients with atrial flutter, radiofrequency ablation is the current treatment of choice. Some patients with atrial fibrillation and rapid heart rates may need the radiofrequency ablation done not on the atria, but directly on the AV junction (i.e., the area that normally filters the impulses coming from the atria before they proceed to the ventricles).

Ablation of the AV junction leads to complete heart block. Treatment for this condition requires a permanent pacemaker.

Other patients can have a ablation on the atria itself to try and cure the patient of atrial fibrillation.

Expectations (prognosis)   

The disorder is usually controllable with treatment. The natural tendency of atrial fibrillation, however, is to become a chronic condition.

Complications   

• A pulse that is too rapid or too slow may reduce the amount of blood the heart can pump and lead to tiredness, syncope (fainting) or heart failure.
• Emboli to the brain (stroke) or elsewhere -- rare, but often treated with anticoagulation to reduce this risk.

Calling your doctor   

Call your doctor if symptoms indicate atrial fibrillation or flutter may be present.

Prevention   

Follow the health care provider's recommendations for the treatment of underlying disorders. Avoid binge drinking.

Update Date: 5/31/2006

Updated by: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.