Atrial Fibrillation Increase...

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I am looking for feedback from cardiac nurses regarding the progression of atrial fibrillation. A family member (68, mitral valve replacement, cath ablation, and pacemaker) had their percentage of afib go from 1% to 10% in six months time. The attending cardiopulmonologist dismissed it and said that the patient was fine. However, I found that remotely concerning due to the increase. What are your thoughts?

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Specializes in Cath/EP lab, CCU, Cardiac stepdown.

When I hear a fib, I think stroke. Did the doctor mention anything about that?

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That increase would not effect cardiac output.

As long as the patient is anti-coagulated and exercising per orders, nothing to do right now.

Did you ask the physician for their rationale?

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Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

This request skates a fine line between asking about nursing subjects or conditions and asking for medical advice.

As nurses (and per the Terms of Service), we cannot give medical advice.

It is most appropriate to take medical concerns to the patient's own physician/care provider, for explanations (as indicated above) of rationale.

Please, in your responses address the question asked and refrain from the appearance of dispensing medical advice.

Thank you.

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I apologize for not using a hypothetical question. I know that medical advice is prohibited on this site. I will be sure to watch the wording of my inquiries in the future. Thank you for replying!

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I have spoken directly with the physician and he stated that they are monitoring it for possible increases in the future. I don't have adequate knowledge in cardio, so I was curious about how normal that was. Thank you for replying!

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Yes, that was discussed. The pt. is on anti-coag's due to the prior history. I was just unsure about the progression of afib and the doctor told us to "research it" (he knows I am in nursing school). Thank you for your response.

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Specializes in Quality, Cardiac Stepdown, MICU.
the doctor told us to "research it" (he knows I am in nursing school)

I would be pretty peeved with a doctor who told me to go find my own answers instead of giving me his expert medical opinion, and who wanted to give me homework without being my teacher.

Even if you are in school and learning, this is your family member, and you are coming to the doctor for his help, not a chapter review course.

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

Atrial fibrillation tends to return and and get worse.

Atrial fibrillation or flutter - National Library of Medicine - PubMed Health

While there are many medications and some interventions to treat a fib, all have drawbacks and none of them are 100%. And sometimes, if the patient is feeling fine, less is more. There are many factors that can increase the risk for a fib, atrial dilation and sleep apnea are the two than come to mind.

I am sorry that your doctor was not able to full explain to your satisfaction. Docs usually only have 8-10 minutes to spend on an office visit.

A fib is a wide-spread problem and perhaps a subject for a research paper, if that is a requirement in your schooling.

Best wishes to your family member.

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Specializes in CTICU.

It's inappropriate for your family member's physician to tell you to do your own research - you're not his student and it's not his place.

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