Print Friendly, PDF & Email

What are the causes of atrial fibrillation?

 

Cardiac
  • Mitral and aortic valve disease
  • Hypertension
  • Myocardial infarction/ischaemia
  • Heart failure
  • Myocarditis
  • Pericarditis
Respiratory
  • Pulmonary embolus
  • Pneumonia
Metabolic
  • Thyrotoxicosis
  • Alcohol or stimulant drugs
  • Acute hypoxia/hypercapnia
Other
  • Idiopathic
  • Post surgery (particularly cardiothoracic)
  • Fever

 

Click here to learn how to do a full cardiovascular examination and here for other medical exams

 

Click here for medical student OSCE and PACES exam questions about the cardiovascular examination