atrial fibrillation

American  

[ey-tree-uhl fib-ruh-ley-shuhn] / ˈeɪ tri əl ˌfɪb rəˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

Pathology.

1. a cardiac arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, caused by rapid, chaotic electrical impulses to the atria. AF, AFib.

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Etymology

Origin of atrial fibrillation

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

For chronic conditions like atrial fibrillation and heart failure, care plans should reflect factors unique to women.

From Science Daily • Feb. 27, 2026

The positive result came after Bayer stopped a trial of the same drug to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation two years ago, because an existing treatment called apixaban performed better.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 24, 2025

As many as 25 million Americans might have atrial fibrillation without showing symptoms, and iRhythm’s fans hope doctors will use its patch to screen older patients who are at moderate risk of heart problems.

From Barron's • Nov. 5, 2025

Patients with atrial fibrillation can now monitor their heart rhythm with a do-it-yourself electrocardiogram on devices that interface with a smartphone app and range from $79 to $129.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 30, 2025

They said that includes a recent fainting episode, and over the last five years, a broken back, a torn Achilles tendon and atrial fibrillation which could make Murdoch “unavailable for in-person testimony at trial.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2025