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Atrial Fibrillation & Atrial Flutter (view source)
Revision as of 11:42, 30 June 2016
, 11:42, 30 June 2016→Clinical Signs
===Horses===
===Horses===
This may be an '''incidental finding''' on clinical examination, especially if the horse is not used for highly athletic activities. The atrial contraction only contributes to around 15% of the ventricular filling, so signs of atrial fibrillation are only seen during vigorous exercise. If the horse is raced, hunted or an eventer, then signs may occur during exercise and include '''exercise intolerance''', reluctance to exercise or a poor performance during exercise. It can be associated with '''[[Exercise Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage|exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage]]''', so this can be a clinical sign of the condition.
This may be an '''incidental finding''' on clinical examination, especially if the horse is not used for highly athletic activities. The atrial contraction only contributes to around 15% of the ventricular filling, so signs of atrial fibrillation are only seen during vigorous exercise. If the horse is raced, hunted or an eventer, then signs may occur during exercise and include '''exercise intolerance''', reluctance to exercise or a poor performance during exercise. It can be associated with '''[[Exercise Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage|exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage]]''', so this can be a clinical sign of the condition.
===Cattle===
===Cattle===
Signs generally relate to the underlying disease process, which in cows can range from '''gastrointestinal diseases''' such as a [[LDA|left-displaced abomasum]], to uterine torsion.
Signs generally relate to the underlying disease process, which in cows can range from '''gastrointestinal diseases''' such as a [[LDA|left-displaced abomasum]], to uterine torsion.
===Small Animals===
===Small Animals===
Patients with primary atrial fibrillation are usually asymptomatic. However, there may be signs of haemodynamic compromise due to the rapid heart rate and a loss of atrial contribution to ventricular filling; which would usually account for up to 20% of cardiac output. This most commonly manifests as exercise intolerance.
Patients with primary atrial fibrillation are usually asymptomatic. However, there may be signs of haemodynamic compromise due to the rapid heart rate and a loss of atrial contribution to ventricular filling; which would usually account for up to 20% of cardiac output. This most commonly manifests as exercise intolerance.