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Updated: May 9 2017

Atrial Flutter

Snap Shot
  •  A 68-year-old female on digoxin presents complaining of lethargy.
Introduction
  • Rapid, regular atrial rhythm
    • due to well-defined reentrant circuit in the right atrium
  • Atrial rate 250-350
  • Ventricular rate 150-225
    • varies with AV conduction
  • Less common than atrial fibrillation
    • hemodynamic consequences and treatment are similar
Presentation
  • Symptoms
    • vary with ventricular rate and conduction ratio through the AV node
    • usually asymptomatic
    • may present with
      • palpitations
      • dizziness
      • syncope
      • lightheadedness
  • Physical exam
    • tachycardic pulse
    • may be diaphoretic
Evaluation
  • EKG
    • flutter waves
      • P waves in a saw tooth pattern
Differential
  • Multifocal atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter, tachycardia with variable AV block, ventricular tachycardia
Treatment
  • Anticoagulation
  • Rate control
    • Digoxin
      • decrease AV conduction
      • slow onset of effects
    • Verapamil
    • Beta blockers
  • Cardioversion
    • If < 48 hours then perform
      • chemical conversion: 1) procainamide 2) sotalol 3) amiodarone
      • electrical cardioversion (shocks of 100-200J followed by 360J)
    • If > 48 hours then anticoagulate with warfarin and electrocardiovert in 3-4 weeks
      • esophageal echocardiogram to rule out left atrial thombi before cardioversion
      • anticoagulate for 4 weeks following cardioversion.
  • Ablation
    • best long-term/definitive treatment
Prognosis, Prevention, and Complications
  • Prognosis
    • leads to increased risk of stroke
  • Complications
    • atrial mural thrombi emboli to cerebral vessels
      • causing TIA or CVA
Private Note