Nursing Care:

Maintain cardiac output.

Clinical Manifestations:
When the person comes in with atrial fibrillation with rapid
Palpitations, which are sensations of a
Risk Factors: ventricular response, an IV infusion of cardizem is going up
racing, uncomfortable, irregular heartbeat
High blood pressure immediately.
or a flip-flopping in your chest
Heart attacks A cardiac monitor at bedside is essential to keep an eye on the
Weakness
Coronary artery disease rate. Titrate the infusion up or down depending on heart rate.
Reduced ability to exercise
Abnormal heart valves Watch labs like cardiac enzymes for trends indicating heart
damage. This may indicate quicker or more aggressive action is Fatigue
Heart defects you're born with (congenital)
needed. Lightheadedness
An overactive thyroid gland or other metabolic
Dizziness
imbalance
Confusion
Exposure to stimulants, such as medications,
Shortness of breath
caffeine or tobacco, or to alcohol
Chest pain
Sick sinus syndrome ? improper functioning of the
heart's natural pacemaker
Lung diseases Atrial Fibrillation:
Previous heart surgery
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular
Viral infections and often rapid heart rate that
Stress due to pneumonia, surgery or other illnesses occurs when the two upper
Sleep apnea chambers of your heart (atria)
experience chaotic electrical
signals.

Diagnostics:
EKG
Medical Procedures to Correct Holter Monitor
Event Monitor
Rhythm: Echocardiogram
Medications:
Cardioversion may stop the extra electrical Various Blood Tests
Coumadin
impulses and restore a normal rhythm. If Chest X-Ray
Dofetilide (Tikosyn)
Flecainide someone has been in a-fib.for an unknown
Propafenone (Rythmol) time, cardioversion may not be an option due
Amiodarone (Cordarone, Client Education: to the risk of moving clots from the heart.
Pacerone) Eat heart healthy foods. Ablation can be used to either burn
Digoxin Exercise regularly.
(radiofrequency ablation) or freeze
Beta blockers Quit smoking.
Calcium Channel Blockers (cryoablation) abnormal electrical impulses.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Keep blood pressure and Maze surgery - a new maze of electricity is
cholesterol levels under control. created for the heart.
Drink alcohol in moderation. Catheter Ablasion. Goals of Care:
Maintain follow-up care. Atrioventricular node ablasion. Control heart rate
Maintain all medications and Restore normal sinus rhythm
follow prescription. Prevent clots
Educate about risk factors of
A-Fib.