What is Atrial flutter?

a form of supraventricular tachycardia characterised by a succession of rapid atrial depolarisation waves

What are the ECG findings in atrial flutter?

• 'sawtooth' appearance
• as the underlying atrial rate is often around 300/min the ventricular or heart rate is dependent on the degree of AV block. For example if there is 2:1 block the ventricular rate will be 150/min

What's the management of Atrial flutter?

• is similar to that of atrial fibrillation although medication may be less effective
• atrial flutter is more sensitive to cardioversion however so lower energy levels may be used
• radiofrequency ablation of the tricuspid valve isthmus is curative for most patients