Overview
Atrial flutter is caused by a macro-reentrant circuit producing rapid, organized atrial depolarization.
Clinical Features
Symptoms may include palpitations, dyspnea, fatigue, dizziness, or chest discomfort.
Ventricular rate depends on the degree of atrioventricular block.
ECG Findings
ECG classically shows regular atrial activity with characteristic flutter waves, often best seen in the inferior leads.
The atrial rhythm is often highly organized even when the ventricular response is not 1:1.
Management
Management depends on hemodynamic stability and may involve rate control, rhythm conversion, anticoagulation when indicated, and catheter ablation in appropriate patients.
Clinical Pearls
Atrial flutter is an organized atrial tachyarrhythmia; look for repetitive flutter waves rather than irregular fibrillatory activity.
END OF REVIEW
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