Afib vs a flutter3/22/2023 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() However, while advances in technologies have helped elucidate many aspects of these diseases, many mysteries still remain. Newer novel drugs targeting specific ion channels are approaching the stages of clinical investigation. Newer techniques like left atrial appendage (LAA) has been developed and is a highly attractive concept for the future in the management of AFIB/AFLUT. Catheter ablation is an effective treatment option in certain patients that have AFIB/AFLUT refractory to medical management. Anti-coagulation therapy in both the disease population is essential. In some situations, atrial rhythms may not be well controlled by these anti-arrhythmic drugs, making cardioversion to sinus rhythm necessary. Rate control (along with rhythm control) is the first line of management for symptomatic AFIB/AFLUT with Rapid Ventricular Rate (RVR). Management of these two diseases has been a challenge for physicians. The term ‘flutter’ and ‘fibrillation’ were first coined to differentiate the differences between fast, regular contractions in Atrial Flutter (AFLUT) with irregular, vermiform contractions of Atrial Fibrillation (AFIB). If you want some of my ECG ebooks you know where to find me (hiding in the corner with a toil foil hat to keep the aliens away and trying to bike lock up my soul because the sermon at church on Sunday was about how Satan wants to steal my soul, wait, does Satan have bolt cutters? poo. Why did I state the obvious you ask? it's not because I like demonstrating my knowledge (seriously, its not) it's because atrial flutter can easily be distinguished if we think of it in terms of where the electrical impulses are coming from it has polymorphic sawtooth waves (like giant P waves) compared to messed up bizzare fibrillatory wavesĪtrial flutter is regularly irregular whereas AF is irregularly irregular ![]() I know I'm stating the obvious but atrial fibrillation is caused by multiple ectopic atrial foci whereas atrial flutter is caused by only one ectopic foci The nattle is correct I am so proud (*tear) atrial fibrillation is the only irregular irregular rhythm on the face of the earth (my EEG excluded) (I wouldn't normally be snarky about a classmate making a mistake, but she's the superachiever who's in it for herself and nobody else, so it was amusing to see her step on her own foot a bit.) -) Where I'm getting tripped up is interpreting whether a strip is A-fib or A-flutter, as they appear very similar to me and discussions I've had in the past lead me to believe that some docs use the term interchangeably, as the patient treatment regimen and prognosis don't change much based on which you're seeing.ĭo you have any suggestions as to how to definitively interpret one from the other on an ECG tracing?Īt least I wasn't my classmate, who posted up about a totally normal sinus rhythm desperately trying to figure out what was wrong with it. (V-tach, V-fib), PAC's and PVC's are easy to see, counting the little boxes is nice and simple, and we don't have to know any junctional rhythms or blocks just yet. For this level of my nursing course, we're dipping our toes ever so gently into the EKG interpretation waters. ![]()
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