Arrhythmias - Atrial Flutter Flashcards
1
Q
ESSENCE
A
- Supraventricular tachycardia characterised by a
- Sawtooth appearance, regular rhythm
- Some AV node conduction block
2
Q
PATHOGENESIS
A
Large re-entrant circuit, typically in right atrium
3
Q
AETIOLOGY
Risk factors
A
- Chronic lung disease
- Heart disease
4
Q
CLINICAL FEATURES
Symptoms
A
- Syncope
- Palpitations
- Fatigue
- Poor exercise tolerance
5
Q
CLINICAL FEATURES
Signs
A
- Pulse often around 150bpm
- BP may or may not be decreased
6
Q
INVESTIGATIONS
First chocie
A
- Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)
- ECG
- Adenosine administration
7
Q
ECG findings
A
- Narrow complex tachycardia
- Ventricular rate 125-150bpm
- Regular atrial rate 250-300bpm (usually 2:1 AV block)
- Flutter waves or “sawtooth waves in leads II, III and aVF
8
Q
What leads are flutter waves seen in
A
II, III and aVF
9
Q
Adenosine administration indication during investigation
A
If ECG unclear, allows flutter to more easily be diagnosed on ECG
10
Q
MANAGEMENT
Approach
A
Same as treatment for atrial fibrillation, except catheter ablation is definitive therapy for atrial flutter
11
Q
COMPLICATIONS
A
- Embolisation
- Heart failure
