STUDY OF PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN VIEW OF ETIOLOGICAL EVALUATION AND CLINICAL PROFILE.

Background : Atrial fibrillation(AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia encountered inclinical practice,accounting 1/3 of hospital-admissions for arrhythmia and rate of admissions for AFhas risen recently.The principle significance of AF both to patient and healthcare system is fivefoldincreased risk of embolic stroke.Methodology: Electrocardiogram confirmed 100 adult(≥18 years) patients of AF were included inthis study and evaluated clinically.Results: Incidence of AF in India is significantly high in younger age group and in Female(58%) ascompared to Western countries,where AF is more common in old age and in Male(42%).Mostcommon cause of AF is Rheumatic heart disease as compared to Western countries,where IHD is thecommonest cause.The average age of patient having RHD developing AF,in India,is 15-20 yearsearlier than patients from Western countries.Most common complication of AF is Congestive cardiacfailure. Most serious complication of AF is Cardio-embolic stroke.Increase in size of Left Atrium inAF is associated with increased risk of Cardio-embolic stroke.Conclusion: Trials have shown reduction in risk,if patients are adequately anticoagulated.so earlyevaluation and prophylactic treatment can reduce mortality and morbidity in patients of AF.