What is the effect of Atrial fibrillation on blood pressure ?

Atrial fibrillation has a direct effect on systemic blood pressure as stroke volume swings from beat to beat because of changing  RR Interval ( preload ). The variation in systolic pressure actually reflects not only the changing stroke volume but also the enhanced contractility of the ventricle to the preload( Frank-Starling principle ). The net effect is reflected in the pulse as an irregularly irregular pulse (Both rate and volume /Amplitude).* However, In dysfunctional ventricles or in acute AF* this variation in systolic  BP can be significant. Also realize, If the preload is changing every beat, there is a considerable dynamism in the afterload as well because of ventricular arterial coupling. (*Acute effects on BP with the onset of AF : There can be transient hypotension with loss of atrial booster pump.This is not significant in otherwise healthy hearts. Inpatient with baseline LV or RV dysfunction, the onset of AF can be detrimental. The ventricular rate is also a determinant of blood pressure. At fast rates, there can be a fall in BP) How to record BP during AF ?  As you record the BP by cuff, the Phase 1 Korotkoff sound floats up and down with each beat. If the variation in RR interval is huge one may get a beat-to-beat variation even up to 40 mmHg.We also know, AF can cause pulse drop /deficit intermittently. What happens to Korotkoff sound during pulse deficit? Obviously, there will be a loss of these phase 1 sounds, though the other phases of sound may be he...
Source: Dr.S.Venkatesan MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Cardiology - Clinical Blood pressure in atrial fibillation cardiology research topic cardiology thesis topic pulse deficit Source Type: blogs