Canadian Flashcards
A 63-year-old woman presents to the ED with palpitations, with a pounding feeling in her chest and shortness of breath. An EKG done shows the following:
This patient has:
A) Atrial fibrillation
B) Atrial flutter
C) Ventricular fibrillation
D) Ventricular flutter
B) Atrial Flutter
An EKG of Atrial flutter will show the following:
-Atrial rate: Usually 300 beats/min, ranging between 220 and 350 beats/min
-Rhythm: The atrial rhythm is regular
-P waves: Flutter waves resemble a sawtooth or picket fence and are best seen in leads II, III, or aVF
-PR interval: Usually the PR interval is regular, but it may vary
-QRS interval: The pattern is usually normal
Treatment involves rate control with calcium channel blockers or beta blockers. Conversion of rate with a type 1 antiarrhythmic agent, such as quinidine or procainamide follows:
