Atrial Flutter

Overview

Mayo Clinic is nationally recognized for its expertise and experience in the treatment of atrial flutter and other heart arrhythmias (the heart beats too fast or too slow). Patients benefit from Mayo Clinic's expertise and experience in diagnoses and treatment. Many treatments for atrial flutter and new experimental therapies are available at Mayo Clinic.

Diagnosis

For patients with atrial flutter, the medical team at Mayo Clinic is led by electrophysiologists. These are cardiologists (medical experts in heart care) with specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders. Read more about atrial flutter diagnosis.

Treatment Options

The decision for medical treatment, and the method selected, can be made only after a comprehensive diagnosis. The Mayo Model of Care emphasizes an integrated, collaborative team approach to provide the best possible care for each patient.

At Mayo Clinic, the treatment strategies are to:

• attempt to restore and maintain the sinus rhythm, or regular rhythm of the heart through electrical cardioversion
• slow the heart rate, using medications or catheter radiofrequency ablation
• reduce the risk of stroke with medications

Follow-up care for patients is another essential component of Mayo Clinic's care for atrial flutter. Read more about atrial flutter treatment options.

• Treatment in Arizona
• Treatment in Florida
• Treatment in Minnesota
• Treatment of Children & Adolescents

About Atrial Flutter

In atrial flutter, the upper chambers of the heart (atria) are electrically overstimulated as many as 300 times per minute, compared to the normal rate of 60 to 100 times. This rapid stimulation renders the heart's contractions ineffective. Atrial flutter is a form of tachycardia (rapid heart rate). It usually occurs because of changes in the atrial muscle that affect its ability to transmit electrical impulses.

An episode of atrial flutter can cause heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest tightness, fatigue and dizziness. Some people may experience no symptoms, and the atrial flutter is identified accidentally during a routine electrocardiodiogram. Although the condition may be chronic (occurring repeatedly or constantly), it can also occur in episodes where occasional attacks last hours or days, and then be followed by periods of normal heart rhythm.