

Slower tachycardias displaying discrete P waves, separated by isoelectric baselines, were called ‘atrial tachycardia’. 1,2 On the ECG, flutter was a regular continuous undulation between QRS complexes at a cycle length (CL) of ≤250 ms (≥240 bpm). The term ‘flutter’ was coined to designate the visual and tactile rapid, regular atrial contraction induced by faradic stimulation in animal hearts, in contrast with irregular, vermiform contraction in atrial fibrillation (AF). In patients subjected to cardiac surgery or catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation or showing atypical ECG patterns, macro-re-entrant and focal tachycardia mechanisms can be very complex and electrophysiological studies are necessary to guide ablation treatment in poorly tolerated cases. Secondary prevention, based on the treatment of associated atrial fibrillation risk factors, is emerging as a therapeutic option. In patients without a history of heart disease, cardiac surgery or catheter ablation, typical flutter ECG remains predictive of a right atrial re-entry circuit dependent on the inferior vena cava–tricuspid isthmus that can be very effectively treated by ablation, although late incidence of atrial fibrillation remains a problem. Electrophysiological studies have defined multiple mechanisms of tachycardia, both re-entrant and focal, with varying ECG morphologies and rates, authenticated by the results of catheter ablation of the focal triggers or critical isthmuses of re-entry circuits.

Once you know your heart condition, make sure to follow the doctor’s instructions to ensure a healthy lifestyle.Clinical electrophysiology has made the traditional classification of rapid atrial rhythms into flutter and tachycardia of little clinical use. It is extremely important that the heart condition gets diagnosed in time and once that is done, a proper course of treatment is followed. Symptoms and Treatment of Atrial Fibrillationīoth conditions are heart related and there is not an easy way to say that everything related to the heart is a serious condition. Whereas this procedure isn’t quite as successful in treating Afib because it is more difficult to locate and destroy all the trouble spots triggering the problem.

Although both conditions are very similar, with Atrial Flutter, the electrical impulses are irregular but still organized.The symptoms of Atrial Flutter are less severe and easily controlled as compared to Afib.A person suffering from Atrial Flutter can, if not treated, effectively develop Afib. Atrial Flutter is a less severe heart condition than Afib.Atrial flutter is a heart condition in which the rhythm of the heart is abnormal and irregular wherein Atrial Fibrillation is a condition when the heart beats at a very fast pace, the rhythm is normal but the pace is very fast.Here is a comprehensive list explaining the major differences: How are they different?Īs mentioned, they are both forms of abnormality of the heart. Atrial Fibrillation is also known as Afib. Both are forms of abnormality of the heart. To simplify in an easy way is that both of these terms refer to heart conditions that are somewhat common. What is Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter?
