EASY WAY TO REMEMBER: ATRIAL FLUTTER

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 ATRIAL FLUTTER (BASICS)

  • When the atrial rate is greater than 250/min, and there is no flat baseline between the P waves, "atrial flutter" is present.
  • This type of arrhythmia can be dangerous because complications can easily develop.
  • LET'S MAKE IT SIMPLE:  P WAVE CAN BE SEEN AT A RATE OF 300/MIN, GIVING A "SAWTOOTH" APPEARANCE.
  • THERE ARE FOUR P WAVES PER QRS COMPLEX (ARROWED)

  • NOTE: there are 4 (P waves) between QRS complex, and it looks like sawtooth appearance.

  • another ECG sample:



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