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Aetiology

Authoring team

Atrial flutter is caused by a re-entrant circuit of excitation, usually within the right atrium.

Atrial flutter may be caused by:

  • ischaemic heart disease
  • hyperthyroidism
  • rheumatic heart disease
  • cardiomyopathy.

Patients taking anti-arrhythmics for chronic suppression of atrial fibrillation may convert to atrial flutter, noted most commonly with flecainide, propafenone and amiodarone (1)

Reference

  1. Brugada J, Katritsis DG, Arbelo E, et al; ESC Scientific Document Group. 2019 ESC guidelines for the management of patients with supraventricular tachycardia - the Task Force for the management of patients with supraventricular tachycardia of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur Heart J. 2020 Feb 1;41(5):655-720.

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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