Atrial Flutter

Question 1

What is atrial flutter

Answer 1

Atria contracting at high rates - 300bpm approx

Question 2

What are the 2 types of atrial flutter

Answer 2

Type 1 - typical atrial flutter. Moves in anticlockwise direction around Tricuspid valve

Type 2 - atypical atrial flutter. can originate in right or left atrium, undefined exact location

Question 3

Describe how an ECG of Atrial Flutter would look

Answer 3

Sawtooth ECG (f-waves)

Question 4

What symptoms may precipitate from atrial flutter (having a high ventricular rate)

Answer 4

SoB
Chest pain
Dizziness
Nausea

Question 5

What are consequences of atrial flutter

Answer 5

1. Heart failure (prolonged tachycardia causes ventricular decompensation)
2. Stroke (if blood stagnates due to ineffective atrial contraction - embolism to brain)

Question 6

How is atrial flutter treated

Answer 6

1. Anticoagulants to reduce clot formation
2. Beta blockers/CCBs to control rate
3. Cardioversion
   (4. Maybe radio frequency catheter ablation)