Nursebob’s MICU/CCU Survival Guide
Cardiology In Critical Care
Arrhythmia Recognition
Atrial Flutter
Nursebob©
2/19/2006
1. Impulses
A. Originate in an atrial
pacemaker at a rate 240-340/min
B. Some of them are blocked
regularly at the AV junction.
2. Atrial activity
A. Represented by
sawtooth-like deflections (F waves) not separated by an isoelectric segment
B. Best seen in L2, L3 and
AVF.
C. Usually only every second F
is conducted to the ventricles (2:1 AV block) with the resulting ventricular
rate half the atrial rate
D. Rarely the AV conduction is
3:1, 4:1, 1:1 or variable.
3. Vagal stimulation may have no effect or slow ventricular rate by
increasing AV block or terminate flutter.
-Exercise increases HR by
decreasing the block.
There
have been Visitors
to this website.