Atrial Flutter

Question 1

What is atrial flutter?

Answer 1

Irregularly regular/organised atrial firing

Question 2

Is atrial flutter more or less common than AFib?

Answer 2

Less common (and less severe)

Question 3

What is the atrial firing rate in atrial flutter?

Answer 3

250-350 bpm

Question 4

What are risk factors for atrial flutter?

Answer 4

Atrial fibrillation

Question 5

Atrial flutter involves fast atrial e____ firing causing atrial spasm, but not as uncoordinated as AFib

Answer 5

ectopic

Question 6

Atrial flutter typically involves a pathway from around the t_____ a____

Answer 6

tricuspid annulus (opening of valve)

Question 7

What are symptoms of atrial flutter?

Answer 7

Dyspnoea
Palpitations

Question 8

How is atrial flutter diagnosed?

Answer 8

ECG
F wave “sawtooth” pattern
Often with a 2:1 block (2 P waves for every QRS)

Question 9

What is treatment for acutely unstable atrial flutter?

Answer 9

DC synchronised cardioversion

Question 10

What is treatment for stable atrial flutter?

Answer 10

Beta-blockers (rhythm/rate control)
Oral anticoagulant (prevent thromboemboli)

Question 11

What is surgical treatment for atrial flutter?

Answer 11

Radiofrequency ablation