Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Uncertainty and its antecedents in patients with atrial fibrillation
Younhee Kang1, Barbara J Daly, Jeong-Sun Kim
1College of Nursing Science, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea. yxk12@hanmail.net
Abstract:
The aim of this descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional survey was to explore uncertainty in patients with atrial fibrillation and to examine the relationships between uncertainty and its antecedents, including education, social support, and perceived seriousness of illness in patients newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. The theoretical framework of the study was Mishel's middle-range nursing theory of uncertainty in illness. A convenience sample of 81 participants recruited from two academic medical centers over 10 months was interviewed. Uncertainty was moderately high in patients with atrial fibrillation compared to other clinical populations. Among antecedents of uncertainty, higher education was significantly associated with less uncertainty (beta = -.21 to -.25). Except for tangible support, persons with greater social supports perceived less uncertainty (beta= -.25 to -.27), and individuals with greater perceived seriousness of illness reported greater uncertainty (beta= .30 to .33).
Related Concept Videos
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
Dysrhythmias II: Classification of Tachyarrhythmias
Dysrhythmias V: Evaluating Dysrhythmias
Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias
Propagation of Uncertainty from Random Error

