About the Case:
Atrial fibrillation is a rapid, irregularly irregular atrial rhythm. Symptoms include palpitations and sometimes weakness, effort intolerance, dyspnea, and presyncope. Atrial thrombi often form, causing a significant risk of embolic stroke. Diagnosis is by ECG. Treatment involves heart rate control with drugs, prevention of thromboembolism with anticoagulation, and sometimes conversion to sinus rhythm by drugs or cardioversion.
Factors that increase risk of thromboembolic events can be identified by the CHADS2 score
(see Table: CHADS2 Score) or the CHA2DS2-VASc score.
Read more about Atrial Fibrillation in The Manuals.