ECG: 08. Atrial flutter - with Video

Atrial flutter is a common atrial tachyarrhythmia. Unlike atrial fibrillation, the pulse rhythm is generally regular or only slightly irregular.

Check out this brief video recording of a cardiac monitor showing atrial flutter:



There is generally some amount of AV block also in the presence of atrial flutter (thankfully) and hence in many cases there may not even be tachycardia. Hence, at times it is difficult to identify clinically.

Common causes include - long standing hypertension, (rheumatic) valvular heart disease, ischemic heart disease, hyperthyroidism etc.