True regarding atrial fibrillation -a) ↑ Thromboembolismb) Digoxin treatmentc) Anticoagulant not requiredd) Aspirin given
**Core Concept**
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a type of supraventricular tachyarrhythmia characterized by rapid and irregular atrial activation, leading to a lack of coordinated atrial contraction. This condition increases the risk of thromboembolic events due to stasis of blood in the atria.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Atrial fibrillation significantly increases the risk of thromboembolism due to blood stasis in the atria. This is because the irregular and rapid atrial contractions lead to a decrease in the effective contraction of the atria, resulting in blood pooling and clot formation. The risk of thromboembolism is a major concern in patients with atrial fibrillation, and anticoagulation therapy is often prescribed to prevent these events.
* **Option A:** ↑ Thromboembolism is correct because atrial fibrillation increases the risk of thromboembolic events due to blood stasis in the atria.
* **Option B:** Digoxin treatment is not the primary treatment for atrial fibrillation. While digoxin may be used to control ventricular rate, it is not the most effective treatment for preventing thromboembolism.
* **Option C:** Anticoagulant not required is incorrect because anticoagulation therapy is often prescribed to prevent thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation.
* **Option D:** Aspirin given is incorrect because aspirin is not sufficient to prevent thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation. Anticoagulation therapy with warfarin or novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) is typically recommended.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key point to remember is that the CHA2DS2-VASc score is used to assess the risk of thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. This score takes into account several risk factors, including congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥ 75, diabetes, stroke or transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, age 65-74, and sex category (female sex).
**Correct Answer: A. ↑ Thromboembolism**