Atrial Fibrillation
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Atrial refers to the heart's two upper chambers, the left and right atria. The two lower chambers are called the ventricles. Fibrillating means quivering, or rapid beating. Irregular, rapid beating of the atrial chambers characterizes Atrial Fibrillation. This happens when the normal system that conducts electricity in the atria malfunctions. A storm of electrical activity across both atria causes them to fibrillate 300 to 600 times per minute. The ventricles pick up only a small number of these impulses, but the ventricular rate can approach 180 or higher. Whether Atrial Fibrillation happens at high or low heart rates, its irregular rhythm means the ventricles can't pump blood efficiently to the rest of the body. Instead, blood pools in the heart and the body doesn't get enough. |
 Guidebook on Atrial Fibrillation |
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