Types of atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation can be further classified as:
- Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: Episodes last from a few seconds to a few days. In between episodes the heart is in a normal (sinus) rhythm. Most episodes convert within 48 hours
- Persistent atrial fibrillation: AF lasts longer than seven days even if terminated by conversion back to a normal rhythm by electrical cardioversion (shock treatment) or medication
- Permanent atrial fibrillation: AF where is it accepted by both the patient and the clinician that the patient will remain in this rhythm and attempts at conversion back to sinus rhythm are no longer undertaken. Treatment would aim to control the rate of AF (see section on ‘Correct’).
Atrial flutter is a variant of atrial fibrillation and in terms of anticoagulation should be treated in the same way as AF.