Atrial flutter

Description

Atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. In healthy persons, two heart chambers (atriums) usually have a pulse between 60 and 80 beats in the minute, in a regular rhythm. In atrial fibrillation, atriums beat very fast and irregularly (90-150 and more in the minute), on which chambers of the heart (ventricles) usually react irregularly, provoking the heart to beat rapidly and in an irregular rhythm. This disorder sometimes appears together with another type of rapid and irregular heartbeat, which is called atrial flutter. Causes that usually lead to this disease are mitral valve disease, high blood pressure, thyroid gland disease, heart attacks, excessive alcohol consumption, virus infections and stress caused by other diseases.

Symptoms

Palpitations- sensation of pounding of the heart, sensation of skipping beats, dizziness, shortness of breath, fainting, chest pain, anxiety.

Overview

Anamnesis is being taken and physical examination is being done. Blood analysis is done in order to eliminate: a disorder of electrolytes balance, heart attack, blood clot or thyroid gland disease. CT scan of the heart can be done to determine structural damage such as mitral stenosis or myxoma.

Tests

Complete blood count (CBC), biochemical blood analysis, echocardiogram (ECHO), electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), troponin and X-rays.

Specialists

Cardiology

Therapy

Every metabolic, physiological and structural disease is being corrected. Heatbeat is being slowed down by use of medicines such as calcium channel blockers (diltiazem verapamil), beta-blockers (metoprolol, esmolol) or digoxin. It is often possible to restore normal rhythm by use of medicines or electrical shock (called cardioversion). When atrial fibrillation lasts more that day or two, blood clots may appear in the atrium. These clots can be transferred to the brain, causing the stroke, or to the other parts of the body. In order to avoid that, and before cardioversion (if the person has been in atrial fibrillation for a couple of days), anticoagulants (medicines for blood “dilution”) are prescribed for persistent atrial fibrillation. Some patients have atrial fibrillation whole life, frequently with atrial flutter.