Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a type of arrhythmia that originates in the atria. The rhythm in AF is typically characterized by a rapid and disorganized electrical activity, leading to an irregular, often fast, heart rate. With Afib, electrical impulses fire from multiple sites in both atria. That can cause the atria to contract 400 or more times per minute. The ventricles become overwhelmed trying to keep up with the contractions. They beat faster than they should, and they may not have time to fill with blood and pump blood normally.

ECG Features

Heart rate: >400bpm

P waves: replaced by fibrillated waves

PR interval: None

QRS: Normal

Rhythm: Irregularly Irregular

Example:1

Example:2