Diagnostic Tests
1.Electrocardiogram
- AF is a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia with uncoordinated atrial activation and consequently ineffective contraction with ECG characteristics of:
- Irregular R-R intervals (when AV conduction is present)
- Absence of distinct, repeating P waves
- Irregular atrial activity
2. Blood Tests
- helps with identification of blood substances related to comorbidities that may lead to AF
3. Holter Monitor
- small, portable ECG devise that records the heart’s activity for 24 hours
- determinant for AF
4. Echocardiogram
- noninvasive test using sound waves to create images of the heart’s size, structure, and motion
5. Stress Test
- exercise testing determines the capacity of the heart to function without tachycardia
- determinant for AF
6. Chest X-ray
- identifies the condition of the lungs and heart
Treatment & Management
- Initial step: determine the most suitable course of treatment. Understand the:
- AF duration
- AF classification
- Onset date
- Date of AF discovery, frequency
- Contributory risk factors
- Symptoms
