Atrial fibrillation etiology and differential diagnosis

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Synonyms and related keywords: AF, Afib, fib

Etiology of atrial fibrillation
AF can be associated with underlying cardiac diseases, but it may also occur in otherwise normal hearts.

Common Causes

 * Hypertension
 * Heart failure
 * Coronary artery bypass surgery

Complete Differential Diagnosis of Underlying Etiologies for Atrial Fibrillation
As most cases of atrial fibrillation are secondary to other medical problems, the presence of chest pain or angina, symptoms of hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland) such as weight loss and diarrhea, and symptoms suggestive of lung disease would indicate an underlying cause. A previous history of stroke or TIA, as well as hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, heart failure and rheumatic fever, may indicate whether someone with atrial fibrillation is at a higher risk of complications.

Further Readings

 * Fuster V, Rydén LE, Cannom DS, et al (2006). "ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: 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): developed in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Rhythm Society". Circulation 114 (7): e257-354. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.177292. PMID 16908781.
 * Estes NAM 3rd, Halperin JL, Calkins H, Ezekowitz MD, Gitman P, Go AS, McNamara RL, Messer JV, Ritchie JL, Romeo SJW, Waldo AL, Wyse DG. ACC/AHA/Physician Consortium 2008 clinical performance measures for adults with non valvular atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Performance Measures and the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement (Writing Committee to Develop Performance Measures for Atrial Fibrillation). Circulation 2008; 117:1101–1120

Vorhofflimmern Fibrillation auriculaire Fibrillazione atriale Boezemfibrilleren 心房細動 Atrieflimmer Migotanie przedsionków Fibrilaţia Atrială Eteisvärinä 心房颤动 Atriyal fibrillasyon