• Welcome to Afibfacts!
• What is Atrial Fibrillation
• Diagnosing Atrial Fibrillation

Early diagnosis of any heart condition can help prevent further damage and can improve your chances for successful treatment. Your doctor can help you decide what your treatment options are based upon the type of atrial fibrillation you have and your overall health and medical history. Take the time to educate yourself about your treatment options, write down questions to ask your doctor at your next follow-up, and speak to your physician about your options and concerns.

Checking Your Pulse for Atrial Fibrillation

If you are worried that you might be experiencing atrial fibrillation, you can check your pulse. It will feel erratic or irregular and fast, the rhythm will not be consistent, and you will feel a difference in the strength of each pulse. The American Stroke Association recommends checking your pulse on a regular basis even if you are not experiencing any symptoms because so many atrial fibrillation cases are asymptomatic and go undetected.

Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG)

Atrial fibrillation is most accurately diagnosed with an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) which measures in wavelengths the timing of the electrical impulses produced by the heart. In order for an ECG to document the presence of atrial fibrillation, the arrhythmia has to occur during the test, making documentation of paroxysmal (self-terminating) episodes of atrial fibrillation difficult. Even in cases where symptoms are persistent, an ECG might appear normal.

The shape and size of each wave, the intervals between waves, and the consistency of the waves allow cardiologists and electrophysiologists to determine if a cardiac arrhythmia was present during the test and what type of arrhythmia was presented.

Heart in Normal Sinus Rhythm	Heart in Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation presents itself on an ECG as rapid or oscillating P waves of various sizes, shapes and consistencies. The timing between P waves tends to be irregular. When the ventricular rhythm is slower than the atrial rhythm, the irregular P wave intervals may go unnoticed. This lack of detection occurs often in undiagnosed cases of atrial fibrillation. QRS waves tend to show up normally on the ECG during atrial fibrillation.

Holter Monitor

A Holter monitor allows your physician to document your heart's electrical activity over a 24 to 48 hour period. In cases of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, the Holter monitor is more likely to document an episode than a standard ECG. Electrodes are placed on specific areas of your body and attached to a battery operated monitor that records the process of cardiac conduction over a day or two. The taped record is read by a computer that can easily distinguish periods of irregular heart rhythms which are then analyzed by your doctor.

Additional Testing for Atrial Fibrillation

Other tests to determine the frequency or persistence of atrial fibrillation might be required for a more in-depth diagnosis to properly prescribe treatment. One or more of the following tests may help your physician determine your treatment options:

 Your prognosis should be based on a precise diagnosis of the incidence and classification of your atrial fibrillation. Candidacy for surgical ablation using the mini-maze or during an open heart procedure will be influenced by your diagnosis as well as other determining factors.

If you are a patient or physician and are interested in learning additional information about clinical studies currently underway, please call our Clinical Trial Hotline at (800) 401- 3506 or visit clinicaltrials.gov.