Cardiac Dysrhythmias Quiz

Atrial Flutter

• Atrial complexes in atrial flutter are distinguished from those in normal sinus rhythm by their sawtooth pattern.
• When one or more F waves are blocked by the AV node, it may result in a pause or irregular rhythm.
• The QRS complex is usually normal in atrial flutter.
• A stable but symptomatic patient with atrial flutter may be administered antiarrhythmic medications, such as ibutilide or dofetilide, to convert the rhythm to normal sinus rhythm.

Anticoagulation and Atrial Flutter

• Patients with atrial flutter are often prescribed anticoagulant medications to reduce the risk of stroke.

Atrial Fibrillation

• On an ECG strip, atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by a rapid, irregular rhythm with no distinct P waves.
• Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of stroke because the irregular rhythm can lead to blood stagnation in the atria, resulting in thrombus formation.
• The recommended treatment for stable but symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) patients is rate control with medications such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers, or rhythm control with antiarrhythmic medications or cardioversion.

Atrial Flutter vs. Atrial Fibrillation

• The main characteristic of atrial flutter is a regular, sawtooth pattern of atrial complexes.
• Atrial flutter can degenerate into atrial fibrillation.

Cardioversion and Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

• Synchronized cardioversion may be necessary in atrial flutter if the patient is unstable or symptomatic.
• In patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome and Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome, the key consideration in administering medication is to avoid exacerbating the accessory pathway conduction.
• Unstable patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) require immediate cardioversion to restore a normal heart rhythm.