Case PresentationĪ 77-year-old male with a history of coronary artery disease status post-percutaneous coronary intervention with two stents in-situ, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus was transferred from an outside facility on account of a one-week history of HRs ranging between 30 and 40 beats per minute. This paper was previously presented as a poster during the American College of Physicians West Virginia chapter meeting in 2020. Thus, clinicians need to always be aware of this and remember that bradycardia does not rule out a diagnosis of atrial flutter. Less commonly, it may also be associated with a normal heart rate (HR) or even bradycardia, as seen in our patient. Atrial flutter typically causes tachycardia. It shows the characteristic negative sawtooth flutter waves in the inferior leads. Įlectrocardiography (ECG) remains the mainstay of diagnosis. When symptomatic, common presentations include palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, lightheadedness, as well as an increased risk of atrial thrombus formation that may cause cerebral and/or systemic embolization. It may represent a stable rhythm or a bridge arrhythmia between sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation. Call today for expert consultation and care.Although less common, atrial flutter occurs in many of the same situations as atrial fibrillation. We will work with you to treat the fast heart rate, reduce your risk of stroke, and help you achieve and maintain a normal sinus rhythm. If you’ve noticed any symptoms in line with AFib, atrial flutter, or an otherwise abnormal heart beat, it’s important to see a cardiologist for a comprehensive evaluation. Atrial flutter symptoms tend to be less severe, may not always include an irregular pulse, and the risk of stroke is lower. On an EKG, atrial flutter will produce a distinctive “sawtooth” pattern It is difficult to differentiate these two arrhythmias based on symptoms alone.īoth AFib and atrial flutter may cause rapid pulse, irregular pulse, tiredness, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain and tightness, and even stroke. These rapid signals cause the atria to beat more frequently than the ventricles, and a pulse rate of about 150 bpm. In atrial flutter, the atria receives organized signals, but the signals are faster than normal. In AFib, the atria receive disorganized electrical impulses.This causes the atria to beat out of coordination with the heart’s ventricles, and leads to a rapid and irregular heartbeat. The major difference between AFib and atrial flutter is the organization of the electrical signals in the pathways of the heart. The latter is usually seen in patients with some form of heart disease, or who have undergone cardiac surgery or an ablation.
Atrial fibrillation is more common than atrial flutter.Īccording to the American Heart Association, “at least 2.7 million Americans are living with AFib.” On the other hand, atrial flutter is more rare. Read on to learn what separates these abnormal heart rhythms. And while they present with similar symptoms, they are not the same condition. Both occur due to problems with the electrical signals in the upper chambers of the heart. Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter are types of arrhythmia.
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