Atrial Flutter

ECG Findings Explained

Macroreentrent Dysrhythmia

Atrial flutter is a macroreentrent dysrhythmia characterized by rapid flutter waves with a sawtooth appearance.

Flutter (F) Waves

The ectopic atrial depolarizations are called flutter waves and are usually best visualized in the inferior leads (i.e., II, III, aVF). The absence of an isoelectric line between the atrial flutter waves results in a ”sawtooth” appearance.

Variable Block

The flutter rate is typically between around 250 and 350 per minute. Although the atrial rate can be very fast, typically only a portion of impulses are conducted to the ventricles.

Video Lecture