ARRHYTHMIAS-AF CAUSES

SUMMARY

CAUSES
1. Anything that causes Left Atrial stretch: MV disease
2. Anything that causes increased LA pressure: HTN, HF
3. Anything that causes LA fibrosis: infiltrative conditions, ischaemia
4. Anything that upsets the autonomic inputs into the LA: DM, hyperthyroidism
5. AF begets AF due to remodelling of the atria

EXACERBATORS
1. OSA
2. Obesity: 20% increase in AF for every 5 unit increase in BMI; 40% higher recurrence after intervention if BMI > 30
3. Alcoholism: Alcohol is low levels may protect against stroke and AMI; this effect does not apply to atrial fibrillation
4. Smoking
5. Stress

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].