Atrial flutter

Atrial flutter occurs when a single electrical signal circulates rapidly in the atrium, causing a very fast but steady heartbeat. Not every beat is conducted through the AV node, impairing blood flow from the ventricles.

Atrial flutter often occurs in people with heart disease, or after a heart attack or chest trauma. It creates an unpleasant fluttering sensation in the chest. Although it is not life-threatening, it should be treated to avoid its progression to a more serious type of arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation.

Catheter ablation is the electrophysiologist treatment of choice for atrial flutter and has a very high success rate in relieving patients of the symptoms.

Atrial flutter with a 3:1 block