Atrial flutter Flashcards
1
Q
What is it?
A
abnormal atrial contraction
greater than 300bpm atrial contraction
2
Q
what is a result of
A
A re-entrant rhythm in the atria which overrides the sinus rhythm and causes the atria to contract again
3
Q
How does it develop?
A
Underlying disease causes the heart to become irritated and therefore the cells to change property
this leads to the formation of a re-entrant circuit
4
Q
How does the ECG appear?
A
No normal P waves- only flutter waves
QRS complexes are narrow
P waves: QRS complexes= 2:1
5
Q
Treatment
A
- Control of ventricular rate and thromboembolic risk
- Radiofrequency ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus ( ie a section of fibrous tissue in the lower right atrium)
- cardioversion
6
Q
what is cardioversion?
A
the correction of a cardiac arrhythmia- either through medication or through electrical impulse
