Page 105 - Critical Care Notes

4223_Tab02_045-106 29/08/14 10:00 AM Page 99

99 Irregular R-R intervals Atrial Fibrillation
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QRS: Usually narrow.
Atrial rate: 400–600 bpm.
Rhythm: Irregularly irregular.
Ventricular rate: Normal or fast.
PR interval: Unable to determine.
P waves: None; fibrillatory waves.
mitral valve repair or replacement.

or stroke. Symptoms include palpitations, fatigue, malaise, pulse deficit ↑ risk of myocardial ischemia.
(dofetilide) if refractory to cardioversion. Assess for and treat OSA. Consider Cox-Maze procedure during
Management: Same as atrial flutter; ibutilide (Corvert) after cardioversion; anticoagulate. Consider Tikosyn
Atrium quivers instead of contracting; loss of atrial kick. Mural thrombi can lead to pulmonary embolism
CV