PAT 20A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 25, 51: Cerebral Circulation, Pulmonary Edema, Atrial Fibrillation
3 Nov 2016
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Chapter 25: disorders of cardiac conduction and rhythm (pp. Chaotic impulses propagating in different directions and causing disorganized atrial depolarizations without effective atrial contraction. Occurs when the atrial cells cannot repolarize in time for the next incoming stimulus. Grossly disorganized pattern of atrial electrical activity that is irregular with respect to rate and rhythm and the absence of discernible p waves. Atrial activity is depicted by fibrillatory (f) waves of varying amplitude, duration and morphology. Symptoms include: minimal or severe palpations to acute pulmonary edema, fatigue in older adults. Af predisposes individuals to thrombus formation in the atria and increases risk of embolic stroke. Anticoagulant medications may be used to prevent embolic stroke, medications beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, digitalis, antiarrhythmic may be used to control the ventricular rate in persons with persistent atrial fibrillation. The blood flow to the brain is supplied by the two internal carotid arteries anteriorly and the vertebral arteries posteriorly.
