Re: definition of types of afib, sort of

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/20/2000 1:08:36 AM Eastern Standard Time,

trudyjh@... writes:

> I lifted these definitions out of one of hte medscape papers

> pointed to a few messages back. I don't know what they mean by acute

> and chronic:

>

> As noted by Prof. Philippe Coumel, atrial fibrillation has both acute

> and chronic forms, with 3 general types of presentation: paroxysmal,

> persistent, and permanent:

>

> Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is defined as recurrent episodes of

> spontaneously terminating atrial fibrillation.

>

> Persistent atrial fibrillation is defined by continuation of the

> arrhythmia for over 48 hours or until cardioversion is performed.

>

> Permanent atrial fibrillation is persistent atrial fibrillation that

> is refractory to cardioversion.

>

> It should be noted that paroxysmal refers only to the self-

> terminating nature of this type of atrial fibrillation and not to the

> magnitude of the arrhythmia or its effect on the patient. However,

> this form of the disorder is truly little more than a nuisance. Of

> the 3 types of atrial fibrillation, the most difficult to treat is

> persistent atrial fibrillation -- not because it is difficult to

> arrest, but because recurrence is difficult to prevent.

Thgank you Trudy-this was very informative information-

These are very interesting and somewhat different then the terms we (and

> speaking of-for instance , Prof. Coumel lists Paroxsymal

> Affib as any attack of affib, even on a recurrent basis that

> self-terminates-the basis here being that it self terminates from affib to

> nsr-he relates persistent affib not in a term of how many episodes of affib

> you get per week, per day, or per month but by their duration-ie-their

> continuation for over 48 continous hours-and persistent affib is affib that

> doesn't respond well to being cardioverted-ie-the affib remains-very

> interesting how different these terms are used by so many different people

> and they are being used to mean different things-we have to get a better

> standard of definition when using these as a basis of a diagnosis-

jerry

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/20/2000 2:00:48 AM Eastern Standard Time,

brmorgan@... writes:

> Yet with the most common form of atrial fibrillation,

> paroxysmal, there is not yet any one strategy or set of treatments which is

> known to prevent AF; That is truly sad, and one that CAN be changed with a

> concerted effort;

> Again, the AF foundation keeps coming back to mind.

>

>

And this lack of a common strategy cause a myriad of " shotgun bandaid "

approaches , none of which work permanently, some which make little sense,

many which are potentially dangerous in the side affects they cause, and

cause great pain and suffering for all of us with affib who are basically

guinea pigs-

[Guest guest]

Thank you for sharing this with us;

I must disagree with your statement that paroxysmal AF is " truly little more

than a nuisance " . As s post indicates, and others, the risk of a stroke

seems to be significant in patients with this intermittent form of AF,

particularly if they are 60 years of age or older, or even if they are

younger and have other health issues which could increase the risks of a

stroke;

Also since it is known that AF is progressive in most patients, that is,

that " atrial fibrillation breeds atrial fibrillation " , the risk that

Paroxysmal AF will become more frequent and even permanent is significant.

This is where terminology ill suits our discussion, since presumably one

with paroxysmal AF could experience more and more episodes, and yet not be

termed in permanent AF, if even one day or several hours pass between

episodes; Yet in that situation, the patients involved would certainly not

label their paroxysmal AF as a nuisance, but a major health issue.

Finally, this is where more research needs to be done; In most other

disease states, like high cholesterol or diabetes, the concept of prevention

is paramount. Yet with the most common form of atrial fibrillation,

paroxysmal, there is not yet any one strategy or set of treatments which is

known to prevent AF; That is truly sad, and one that CAN be changed with a

concerted effort;

Again, the AF foundation keeps coming back to mind.

definition of types of afib, sort of

> I lifted these definitions out of one of hte medscape papers

> pointed to a few messages back. I don't know what they mean by acute

> and chronic:

>

> As noted by Prof. Philippe Coumel, atrial fibrillation has both acute

> and chronic forms, with 3 general types of presentation: paroxysmal,

> persistent, and permanent:

>

> Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is defined as recurrent episodes of

> spontaneously terminating atrial fibrillation.

>

> Persistent atrial fibrillation is defined by continuation of the

> arrhythmia for over 48 hours or until cardioversion is performed.

>

> Permanent atrial fibrillation is persistent atrial fibrillation that

> is refractory to cardioversion.

>

> It should be noted that paroxysmal refers only to the self-

> terminating nature of this type of atrial fibrillation and not to the

> magnitude of the arrhythmia or its effect on the patient. However,

> this form of the disorder is truly little more than a nuisance. Of

> the 3 types of atrial fibrillation, the most difficult to treat is

> persistent atrial fibrillation -- not because it is difficult to

> arrest, but because recurrence is difficult to prevent.

>

>

>

>

>

> Web Page /group/AFIBsupport

> Afibbers Database- http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

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>

>

[Guest guest]

>Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is defined as recurrent episodes of

>spontaneously terminating atrial fibrillation.

>It should be noted that paroxysmal refers only to the self-

>terminating nature of this type of atrial fibrillation and not to the

>magnitude of the arrhythmia or its effect on the patient. However,

>this form of the disorder is truly little more than a nuisance. Of

>the 3 types of atrial fibrillation, the most difficult to treat is

>persistent atrial fibrillation -- not because it is difficult to

>arrest, but because recurrence is difficult to prevent.

Thanks Trudy,

the fact that my AF has always lasted less than 41 hours then self terminated

may well be the reason I'm labeled as paroxysmal. But I agree with that a

nuisance that takes a day or two out of my life every two weeks is a pretty big

nuisance

All the best,

--

D

AFibbers Database http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

AFib Suport Group /group/AFIBsupport

[Guest guest]

> Thank you for sharing this with us;

> I must disagree with your statement that paroxysmal AF is " truly

little more

> than a nuisance

Hi, , it wasn't me that said that stuff about just a nuisance.

That part was in the quote from the article.

[Guest guest]

Ooops, sorry;

Glad you clarified that!!

Re: definition of types of afib, sort of

>

> > Thank you for sharing this with us;

> > I must disagree with your statement that paroxysmal AF is " truly

> little more

> > than a nuisance

>

> Hi, , it wasn't me that said that stuff about just a nuisance.

> That part was in the quote from the article.

>

>

>

>

>

> Web Page /group/AFIBsupport

> Afibbers Database- http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

> To Unsubscribe send an email to: AFIBsupport-unsubscribeegroups

> Daily digest mode: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-digestegroups

> Individual emails: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-normalegroups

> Read on web only: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-nomailegroups

>

>