A 72-year-old has palpitations and an irregularly irregular pulse. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Atrial fibrillation
- Step 1: The picture of an irregularly irregular pulse without P waves fits Atrial fibrillation.
Answer
Atrial fibrillation.
Why not the others: 'Atrial flutter': it shows sawtooth flutter waves at about 300 per minute. 'Frequent ventricular ectopics': they are extra beats on a regular background rhythm. 'Sinus tachycardia': it is regular with a P wave before each QRS.
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