Atrial flutter overview: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
[[Atrial flutter]] is an abnormal heart rhythm that occurs in the [[atrium (anatomy)|atria]] of the [[heart]]. When it first occurs, it is usually associated with a fast heart rate or [[tachycardia]], and falls into the category of [[supraventricular tachycardia|supra-ventricular tachycardias]]. While this rhythm occurs most often in individuals with cardiovascular disease (eg: [[hypertension]], [[coronary artery disease]], and [[cardiomyopathy]]), it may occur spontaneously in people with otherwise normal hearts. It is typically not a stable rhythm, and frequently degenerates into [[atrial fibrillation]]. However, it does rarely persist for months to years. | [[Atrial flutter]] is an abnormal heart rhythm that occurs in the [[atrium (anatomy)|atria]] of the [[heart]]. When it first occurs, it is usually associated with a fast heart rate or [[tachycardia]], and falls into the category of [[supraventricular tachycardia|supra-ventricular tachycardias]]. While this rhythm occurs most often in individuals with cardiovascular disease (eg: [[hypertension]], [[coronary artery disease]], and [[cardiomyopathy]]), it may occur spontaneously in people with otherwise normal hearts. It is typically not a stable rhythm, and frequently degenerates into [[atrial fibrillation]]. However, it does rarely persist for months to years. | ||
==Classification== | |||
There are two types of atrial flutter, the common type I and rarer type II. Most individuals with atrial flutter will manifest only one of these. Rarely someone may manifest both types; however, they can only manifest one type at a time. | |||
==Pathophysiology== | |||
[[Atrial flutter]] is a form of cardiac arrhythmia characterized by an atrial rate ranging from 240 to 400 beats per minute. It is the most common atrial tachycardia after [[atrial fibrillation]], with a uniform and regular continuous wave-form.<ref name="pmid19668035">{{cite journal |author=Dhar S, Lidhoo P, Koul D, Dhar S, Bakhshi M, Deger FT |title=Current concepts and management strategies in atrial flutter |journal=South. Med. J. |volume=102 |issue=9 |pages=917–22 |year=2009 |month=September |pmid=19668035 |doi=10.1097/SMJ.0b013e3181b0f4b8 |url=}}</ref> It is caused by a [[Cardiac arrhythmia#Reentry|reentrant rhythm]] in either the right or left atrium. Some degree of atrio-ventricular block is usually associated with atrial flutter. Similar to atrial fibrillation the rate of ventricular beating depends on the degree of conduction through the atrio-ventricular node. Usual scenario is 2:1 or 4:1 conduction but occasionally there can exist a 1:1 conduction. | |||
==References== | ==References== |
Revision as of 14:26, 25 January 2013
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]
Overview
Atrial flutter is an abnormal heart rhythm that occurs in the atria of the heart. When it first occurs, it is usually associated with a fast heart rate or tachycardia, and falls into the category of supra-ventricular tachycardias. While this rhythm occurs most often in individuals with cardiovascular disease (eg: hypertension, coronary artery disease, and cardiomyopathy), it may occur spontaneously in people with otherwise normal hearts. It is typically not a stable rhythm, and frequently degenerates into atrial fibrillation. However, it does rarely persist for months to years.
Classification
There are two types of atrial flutter, the common type I and rarer type II. Most individuals with atrial flutter will manifest only one of these. Rarely someone may manifest both types; however, they can only manifest one type at a time.
Pathophysiology
Atrial flutter is a form of cardiac arrhythmia characterized by an atrial rate ranging from 240 to 400 beats per minute. It is the most common atrial tachycardia after atrial fibrillation, with a uniform and regular continuous wave-form.[1] It is caused by a reentrant rhythm in either the right or left atrium. Some degree of atrio-ventricular block is usually associated with atrial flutter. Similar to atrial fibrillation the rate of ventricular beating depends on the degree of conduction through the atrio-ventricular node. Usual scenario is 2:1 or 4:1 conduction but occasionally there can exist a 1:1 conduction.