atrial flutter

Last edited 08/2020

Atrial flutter is a supraventricular arrhythmia in which the atria contract at a rate of 250-350 bpm. The ventricular response depends on the degree of block at the atrioventricular node.

Often the atria contract with a rate of almost exactly 300 bpm and commonly there is a 2:1 block. Hence one should always consider atrial flutter in a narrow complex tachycardia with a rate of 150 bpm

Note that, in the context of long term management of atrial flutter, NICE state the management is as for atrial fibrillation:

• "recommendations apply to adults (18 years or older) with atrial fibrillation, including paroxysmal (recurrent), persistent and permanent atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter (1)"

Reference:

• NICE (June 2014). Atrial fibrillation: the management of atrial fibrillation