PCL 1 investigations of atrial fibrillation

this is very brief, dont worry. there will be videos, pictures and procedures on how it's done. see you thurs=)

Types of investigations:

• echocardiogram
• electrocardiogram
• ambulatory ECG
• exercise treadmill ECG
• coronary angiography
• electrophysiologic test
• nuclear imaging test
• lab test
• x Ray

1. echocardiogram

• An ultrasound test that uses sound waves to make a picture of the inside of the heart while it is beating.

2. electrocardiogram

• a test that measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat.
• p wave: atrial fibrillation; QRS complex: progressive wave of ventricular depolarization; T wave: ventricular repolarization
• what to ask yourself when analyzing ECG?

3. ambulatory ECG

• wearing a HOLTER MONITOR for 24-48 hours to document arrthymia
• done because symptoms come and go

4. coronary angiography

• a procedure that uses a special dye (contrast material) and x-rays to see how blood flows through your heart.
• An abnormal result may mean you have a blocked artery
• procedure lasts for 30 - 60 minutes

5. electrophysiologic study

• an invasive test that allows doctors to determine the details of abnormal heartbeats, or arrhythmias
• Arrhythmias, by their very nature, are unpredictable and intermittent, which makes it unlikely that an ECG or electrocardiogram will capture the underlying electrical pathway problem.

6. exercise treadmill test

• a screening tool to test the effect of exercise on your heart. It provides an overall look at the health of your heart.
• 50-70% accuracy
• just like ECG, only this, the patient will be running on a treadmill

7. nuclear imaging test

• a method of producing images by detecting radiation from different parts of the body after a radioactive tracer material is administered.
• not dangerous as the amount of radioactive materials received is very little

8. lab test

• can only check for certain underlying causes of atrial fibrillation and to rule out heart damage, as from a heart attack
• what to test?
  •Complete blood count
  •Markers for heart injury (enzymes such as troponin and creatine kinase)
  •Digoxin drug level (for those under medication)
  •Electrolytes to test sodium n potassium level
  •Thyroid function to test hyperthyroidism

9. X Ray

• This imagery is used to evaluate for complications such as fluid in the lungs or to estimate heart size
• Evaluate placement of devices (pacemakers, defibrillators) or tubes placed during hospitalization for treatment and monitoring (catheters, chest tubes).
• takes about 10-15 minutes.