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The article discusses a study which examined the in-hospital stroke and in-hospital mortality risks associated with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with severe sepsis. Adults hospitalized in California's nonfederal acute care hospitals in 2007 served as subjects in this study. To explore the temporality of severe sepsis, AF and ischemic stroke events, both sensitivity and exploratory analyses were performed. Results of the study showed that 40,082 patients were hospitalized due to severe sepsis. The ethnic composition of hospitalized patients are white, Hispanic, and African Americans. It cites demographics and comorbidities as factors associated with increased risk of new-onset AF. It notes that 3,310 adult hospitalizations were associated with in-hospital stroke.

Presents a case of a 60-year-old woman with two year history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation which progressed into persistent AF. Definition and epidemiology of AF; Risk factors; Classification of AF; Clinical course of the disease; Risks and benefits of anticoagulation; Optimal intensity of anticoagulation; Best candidate for the therapy; The factors that influence the decision to take warfarin; Status of clinical research on AF; Recommendations for this patient; Questions and discussion with a cardiologist.

This article presents the patient education page which looks at atrial fibrillation which is the most common form of arrhythmia or heart rhythm disorder. It is frequently seen in older people with high blood pressure or other types of heart disease and can have serious consequences such as stroke and heart failure. In atrial fibrillation the electrical impulse of the heart becomes erratic and it can decrease the efficiency of the heart and increase the chance of blood clot formations. Symptoms are described along with possible treatment options.