Types of AF

Q: What are the cutoff days to establish between paroxysmal and persistent Atrial fibrillation (AF)? (select one)

A) 3 days

B) 7 days

C) 10 days

D) 14 days

Answer: B

As per 2014 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Rhythm Society guidelines on AF management, specific terminologies have been established for different forms of AF depending on time length:

- Paroxysmal - AF that terminates spontaneously or with intervention within seven days of onset. Episodes may recur with variable frequency.

- Persistent - AF that fails to self-terminate within seven days. 

- Long-standing persistent - if AF lasted for more than a year.

- Permanent AF – whenever a patient and his physician agree to just pursue a rhythm control strategy

AF may switch/change between different categories. 

#cardiology

Reference:

January CT, Wann LS, Alpert JS, et al. 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS guideline for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on practice guidelines and the Heart Rhythm Society. Circulation 2014; 130:e199.