AURICULAR FIBRILLATION Meaning and
Definition
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Auricular fibrillation, also known as atrial fibrillation, is a cardiac arrhythmia characterized by irregular and rapid electrical impulses originating in the atria (upper chambers) of the heart. This condition disrupts the normal rhythm of the heart's contractions and may cause ineffective and irregular pumping of blood to the lower chambers (ventricles).
During auricular fibrillation, the atria quiver or fibrillate instead of contracting properly, leading to an irregular heart rate and rhythm. This irregularity may result in poor blood flow throughout the body, leading to symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and fatigue.
Atrial fibrillation can occur due to various underlying factors, including heart disease, high blood pressure, heart valve abnormalities, overactive thyroid gland, lung diseases, excessive alcohol consumption, and certain medications. It is also more common in older individuals.
Diagnosis of auricular fibrillation is typically made through an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitoring to assess the heart's electrical activity. Treatment aims to reduce symptoms, control heart rate, prevent blood clots, and restore normal heart rhythm. Management options may include medication to regulate heart rate and rhythm, blood-thinning drugs to prevent blood clots, and procedures like cardioversion or ablation to restore regular heart rhythm.
While auricular fibrillation itself may not be life-threatening, it can increase the risk of stroke and other complications if left untreated. Close monitoring, timely intervention, and appropriate management are crucial to improving the quality of life for individuals with auricular fibrillation.
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A condition in which the systole of the cardiac auricle is replaced by rapid twitchings of the muscular wall, the impulse normally originating from the sinoauricular node being absent and impulses arising at multiple auricular foci taking its place.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for AURICULAR FIBRILLATION
- zuricular fibrillation
- suricular fibrillation
- wuricular fibrillation
- quricular fibrillation
- ayricular fibrillation
- ahricular fibrillation
- ajricular fibrillation
- airicular fibrillation
- a8ricular fibrillation
- a7ricular fibrillation
- aueicular fibrillation
- audicular fibrillation
- auficular fibrillation
- auticular fibrillation
- au5icular fibrillation
- au4icular fibrillation
- aurucular fibrillation
- aurjcular fibrillation
- aurkcular fibrillation
- aurocular fibrillation
Etymology of AURICULAR FIBRILLATION
The term auricular fibrillation is a medical term used to describe a type of cardiac arrhythmia, specifically an abnormal and irregular pattern of contractions in the atria (the upper chambers of the heart). The word auricular refers to the atria, also known as the auricles, while fibrillation describes the rapid, uncoordinated twitching or quivering of the muscle fibers in the heart.
The word auricular comes from the Latin word auris, meaning ear. In this context, auricular refers to the external ear-like shape of the atria. Fibrillation, on the other hand, comes from the Latin word fibra, meaning fiber or filament. Therefore, auricular fibrillation essentially means fibrillation of the atria or quivering of the ear-like structures.
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