Cardiovascular system >>>> Atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation.

Arrhythmia of the heart muscle is called atrial fibrillation in cases when the muscle fibers of the atria begin to contract chaotically - to relax (atrial fibrillation), and the rhythm of contractions sometimes accelerates to 400-600 contractions per minute.

Atrial fibrillation is a life-threatening condition that is often fatal, as the prerequisites for ischemic stroke or blood vessel thrombosis are created.

Atrial fibrillation can take several forms:

paroxysmal (transient),
persistent (chronic, constant).

Transient arrhythmia can last no longer than seven days, but according to statistics, it lasts no more than a day. Chronic - can last more than seven days.

The reasons for the development of atrial fibrillation:

various heart diseases (myocarditis, cardiosclerosis, cardiomyopathies, myocardial infarction, infectious lesions of the heart muscle),
arterial hypertension (hypertension),
atherosclerotic lesion of the vessels supplying the heart muscle,
diseases of organs responsible for internal secretion (thyroid gland, adrenal glands),
lack of minerals in the body that support the work of the myocardium (hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia),
toxic damage to the myocardium (toxic substances in the framework of hazardous production, polluted environment, alcohol, nicotine) or drug overdose.

Signs of atrial fibrillation:

palpitations are felt - uneven,
shortness of breath,
weakness,
muscle tremors,
dizziness is possible,
fainting is possible.

Atrial fibrillation is diagnosed and diagnosed on the basis of pulse measurements, auscultation of the heart rate (listening), on the basis of electrocardiography indications.

Before choosing methods for treating atrial fibrillation, an echocardiographic study of the myocardium and a transesophageal electrophysiological examination of the heart are performed.

These studies make it possible to determine the state of the heart for radiofrequency (catheter) ablation, or the installation of a cardiomyostimulator.

Radiofrequency ablation involves the destruction of foci of excitation of chaotic impulses in the myocardium. It is performed in several ways: by exposure to low temperatures (freezing the focus of excitation - cryoablation), using a laser and by means of ultrasound. Radiofrequency ablation is an alternative to open heart surgery.

If the focus of excitation of atrial fibrillation is located at the mouth of the pulmonary vein, then radiofrequency isolation of the focus of excitation in the pulmonary vein from the atria is performed.

Drug therapy for atrial fibrillation includes drugs novocainomide, digoxide, veropomil, quinidine, amiodarone, propafenone, the treatment of which is carried out under the control of blood pressure readings and cardiography indicators.