Atrial
Atrial Fibrillation
Chaotic atrial activity with irregularly irregular ventricular response and no discrete P waves.
LEAD II · 25 mm/sAFib
Characteristics
- Rate
- Variable (often 100–160 if uncontrolled)
- Rhythm
- Irregularly irregular
- P wave
- Absent — fibrillatory baseline
- QRS
- Narrow (unless aberrancy)
Common causes
- Hypertension
- Valvular disease
- CHF
- Hyperthyroidism
- Alcohol
- Sepsis
ACLS treatment
- 1Stable: rate control (diltiazem, metoprolol) or rhythm control.
- 2Unstable: synchronized cardioversion (start 120–200 J biphasic).
- 3Anticoagulation per CHA₂DS₂-VASc.