Atrial Flutter: Difference between revisions

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During atrial flutter the atria depolarize in an organized circular movement. This is caused by [[Arrhythmias#Re-entry|re-entry]]. The atria contract typically at around 300 bpm, which results in a fast sequence of p-waves in a sawtooth pattern on the ECG. For most AV-nodes this is way to fast to be able to conduct the signal to the ventricles, so typically there is a 2:1, 3:1 or 4:1 block, resulting in a ventricular frequency of 150, 100 or 75 bpm respectively. Often the grade of block changes every couple of beats, resulting in e.g. 2:1, or 3:1 blocks and a somewhat irregular ventricular heart rate. The saw-tooth is especially prominent in lead II, this lead normally shows constant electrical activity: it is never horizontal. Causes and risk of atrial flutter are comparable to atrial fibrillation.
During atrial flutter the atria depolarize in an organized circular movement. This is caused by [[Arrhythmias#Re-entry|re-entry]]. The atria contract typically at around 300 bpm, which results in a fast sequence of p-waves in a sawtooth pattern on the ECG. For most AV-nodes this is way to fast to be able to conduct the signal to the ventricles, so typically there is a 2:1, 3:1 or 4:1 block, resulting in a ventricular frequency of 150, 100 or 75 bpm respectively. Often the grade of block changes every couple of beats, resulting in e.g. 2:1, or 3:1 blocks and a somewhat irregular ventricular heart rate. The saw-tooth is especially prominent in lead II, this lead normally shows constant electrical activity: it is never horizontal. Causes and risk of atrial flutter are comparable to atrial fibrillation.
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==Examples=
==Examples==
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:aflutr_ecg.jpg|The arrows mark the flutter waves. This is an example of an alternating 2:1 and 3:1 block.  
Image:aflutr_ecg.jpg|The arrows mark the flutter waves. This is an example of an alternating 2:1 and 3:1 block.  
Image:ECG_Aflutt.jpg|Atrial flutter with 2:1 conduction.  
Image:ECG_Aflutt.jpg|Atrial flutter with 2:1 conduction.  
</gallery>
</gallery>

Revision as of 20:35, 22 July 2007

This is part of: Supraventricular Rhythms
Atrial flutter
{{{locatieafbeelding}}}
Atrial rate 250-350 bpm
Ventricular rate 75-150bpm (3:1 of 2:1 block)
Regularity regular (sometimes changing block)
Origin atrial (SVT)
P-wave negative sawtooth in lead II
Effect of adenosine temporary reduced AV conduction (eg 4:1)
Example ECG: {{{example}}}
Example ECG2: {{{example2}}}

During atrial flutter the atria depolarize in an organized circular movement. This is caused by re-entry. The atria contract typically at around 300 bpm, which results in a fast sequence of p-waves in a sawtooth pattern on the ECG. For most AV-nodes this is way to fast to be able to conduct the signal to the ventricles, so typically there is a 2:1, 3:1 or 4:1 block, resulting in a ventricular frequency of 150, 100 or 75 bpm respectively. Often the grade of block changes every couple of beats, resulting in e.g. 2:1, or 3:1 blocks and a somewhat irregular ventricular heart rate. The saw-tooth is especially prominent in lead II, this lead normally shows constant electrical activity: it is never horizontal. Causes and risk of atrial flutter are comparable to atrial fibrillation.

Examples