Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
Formal Definition
A cardiac arrhythmia characterized by irregular, rapid atrial electrical activity causing an irregularly irregular ventricular rhythm.
How It's Used on the Ward
"She's in afib" — one of the most common sustained arrhythmias. "Afib with RVR" means the ventricular rate is fast (>100 bpm).
Example
""68-year-old in new-onset afib with RVR — HR 140, hemodynamically stable. Rate-controlled with IV metoprolol. Anticoagulation started given CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 4.""
Clinical Context
AFib management has two main prongs: rate control vs rhythm control, and anticoagulation for stroke prevention. CHA₂DS₂-VASc score guides anticoagulation decisions. AFib with hemodynamic instability → immediate cardioversion.
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