Fibril Health Dictionary

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Fibril: From 1 Different Sources

n. a very small fibre or a constituent thread of a fibre (for example, a *myofibril of a muscle fibre). —fibrillar, fibrillary adj.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Ventricular Fibrillation

A very fast ‘flickering’ of the heart with no measurable circulation of blood by the heart. This usually occurs after a heart attack (or electrocution).... ventricular fibrillation

Fibrillation

A term applied to rapid contraction or TREMOR of muscles, and especially to a form of abnormal action of the heart muscle in which individual bundles of ?bres take up independent action. It is believed to be due to a state of excessive excitability in the muscle associated with the stretching which occurs in dilatation of the heart. The main causes are ATHEROSCLEROSIS, chronic rheumatic heart disease and hypertensive heart disease (see HEART, DISEASES OF). Fibrillation is distinguished as atrial or ventricular, depending on whether the muscle of the atria or of the ventricles is affected. In atrial ?brillation, the heartbeats and the pulse become extremely irregular, both as regards time and force; when the atrium is ?brillating there is no signi?cant contraction of the atrial muscle but the cardiac output is maintained by ventricular contraction. In ventricular ?brillation there is no signi?cant contractile force, so that there is no cardiac output. The commonest cause is myocardial infarction. Administration of DIGOXIN, timolol or verapamil may restore normal rhythm, and in some patients, CARDIOVERSION – a controlled direct-current electric shock given via a modi?ed de?brillator placed on the chest wall – is e?ective.... fibrillation

Atrial Fibrillation

Arrhythmia. Heart flutter. Disorderly uncoordinated contraction of atrial muscle wall, the ventricles responding irregularly.

Causes: thyrotoxicosis, valvular or coronary disease. Present in mitral stenosis and myocarditis. Precursor of heart failure. Carrying a bucket of coal upstairs may be sufficient to precipitate an attack. Symptoms. Pulse irregular in time and force, breathlessness, visible pulse in neck, excessive heart beats of sudden onset or permanent, with breathlessness often from emotional excitement.

Treatment. Patient should avoid excessive physical exercise or give way to anxiety and depression. Alternatives:– Tea. Equal parts: Hawthorn (berries or blossoms), Broom, Valerian. 1-2 teaspoons in each cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes; dose – half-1 cup thrice daily.

Tablets/capsules. Hawthorn, Valerian, Motherwort.

Formula. Hawthorn 2; Passion flower 2; Broom 3. Mix. Dose: Powders: 750mg (three 00 capsules or half a teaspoon). Liquid extracts: 1 teaspoon. Tinctures: 2 teaspoons. In water or honey thrice daily. Practitioner. Tincture Gelsemium (BPC 1973): 2-5 drops. Tincture Lily of the Valley: 0.5-1ml.

Undue violence. Tincture Gelsemium 1; Tincture Cactus 2. Mix. Dose: 5-10 drops. Where heart muscle is damaged, add 1 part Liquid Extract Black Cohosh.

Broom. Spartiol Drops, 20 drops thrice daily. (Klein)

Diet. See: DIET – HEART AND CIRCULATION. ... atrial fibrillation


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