Patterns of Atrial FibrillationYou may have been informed by your doctor that you have a particular type of atrial fibrillation. An explanation of the common types of atrial fibrillation is included below.
ü Paroxysmal AF: Periods of AF which last for a short time, usually less than 24 hours, and end without any treatment. Patients could have paroxysmal AF that occurs off and on for many years.
ü Persistent AF: Periods of AF which last longer than 7 days and are not self-terminating. This means in order to stop the episode, medical treatment must be provided.
ü Permanent AF: Periods of AF lasting longer than one year and are resistant to electrical cardioversion or anti-arrhythmic medications. Patients with permanent AF have the most difficulty finding effective treatment and are at the highest risk for stroke or for developing irreversible structural heart disease.
ü Lone AF: Periods of paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent AF occurring in patients who are young (less than age 60) and have no clinical or echocardiographic evidence of cardiopulmonary disease, including hypertension. 5
5 Fuster, V, Ryden, LE, Cannom, DS, et al. ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation—Executive Summary; A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2001 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation). Circulation 2006; 114:700-752. |