💓 AFib with Rapid Ventricular Response Simulator

Rapid Ventricular Response Begins

Atrial fibrillation lets chaotic impulses flood the AV node.

• 400-600: Atrial rate (fibrillatory waves/min)
• >150: Ventricular rate (beats per minute)
• Irregular: Rhythm (irregularly irregular)
• Sudden: Onset (often abrupt symptomatic)

Why the ventricles race

Placeholder: AV node conducts too many chaotic atrial impulses through.

Palpitations and Breathlessness Emerge

Patients notice pounding, fluttering, and air hunger quickly.

• Common: Palpitations (felt as fluttering chest)
• Progressive: Dyspnea (worsens with rate)
• Frequent: Fatigue (reduced exertion tolerance)
• Elevated: Anxiety (symptom-driven distress)

Symptom drivers

Placeholder: irregular rapid beats reduce perfusion and oxygen delivery.

Diastole Shrinks as Rate Climbs

Faster rates shorten filling time before each contraction.

• Shortened: Filling time (less diastole per cycle)
• Reduced: Preload (less venous return time)
• Lost: Atrial kick (no coordinated contraction)
• Falling: Stroke volume (beat-to-beat variability)

Filling mechanics

Placeholder: shortened diastole plus lost atrial kick cuts filling volume.

Blood Pressure and Output Decline

Falling stroke volume drags cardiac output and pressure down.

• Dropping: Blood pressure (systolic trending low)
• Impaired: Cardiac output (rate x volume falls)
• Reduced: Perfusion (end-organ stress rising)
• Limited: Compensation (reserve-dependent)

Output math

Placeholder: cardiac output falls when stroke volume drops faster than rate rises.

Instability Demands Rate or Rhythm Control

Unstable patients need urgent cardioversion or rate control.

• Present: Instability signs (hypotension, dyspnea, dizziness)
• Considered: Cardioversion (if unstable urgently)
• Beta-blocker/CCB: Rate control (first-line stable cases)
• Assessed: Anticoagulation (stroke risk review)

Treatment path

Placeholder: unstable AFib with RVR triggers urgent rate or rhythm control.

Placeholder: urgent electrical cardioversion is considered when instability is severe.