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Abstract

Introduction

Atrial Fibrillation (AF):-is an abnormal heart rhythm or “arrhythmia”
in which the upper chambers of the heart contract irregularly and
inefficiently, affects 2.7 to 6.1 million Americans and accounting for
approximately one-third of U.S. hospital admissions for arrhythmia and
affecting an estimated 1% of the U.S. population and >33 million individuals
worldwide.

It may be responsible for a substantial decline in the quality of life of
many patients. Throughout the years a number of medical and interventional
approaches have been developed to help manage this condition and its
impact on the affected patients.

Atrial Fibrillation is one of the major risk factors for stroke Almost 15% of
all strokes are attributed to AF.

Methodology

A descriptive quantitative design, which is using the assessment
approach in order to assess nursing staff knowledge about management of
patients with atrial fibrillation in Karbala center for cardiac disease and
surgery in Al-Imam Al-Hussein Medical City. Was carried out through the
present study in order to achieve the early stated objectives. The study was
initiated from 16/9/2018 to 26/5/2019.

The questionnaire consist of two parts Demographic characteristics
sheet, consisted of (9) items, which included gender, age, level of education,
marital status, number of years of Services in hospital, number of years of
services in Karbala center for cardiac disease and surgery, participation in
courses about management for patient with cardiac diseases, name of
courses, determination of duties for each individual in Karbala center for
cardiac disease and surgery.

The second part is information of nursing staff about advices giving
to patient with atrial fibrillation The second part of the questionnaire was
comprised of (52) items Concerned with nursing staff knowledge. The
questionnaire items were rated and scored in the following pattern: (three
items) were rated on scale of close – ended responses (I know, I`m not sure,
I don`t know) as (3) for I know, (2) for I`m not sure and (1) for I don`t know

They were selected after taking their consent based on the study criterion.
The data were collected during study implementation