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Current News in Cardiology pp 29–40Cite as

Cryocatheter Ablation for Atrial Flutter

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Abstract

Atrial flutter (AFl), a common supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (SVT), results in the atria beating up to five times faster than normal, i.e., 240 to 400 beats per minute [1]. A 2:1 relation between atrial and ventricular contractions is typically observed by electrocardiogram (ECG) [2], and under these conditions of accelerated and mismatched contractile activity of the heart chambers there is ineffective pumping of blood to the systemic circulation. While AFl is usually a non life-threatening arrhythmia, it can be a chronic, life-long condition that is episodic and transient. It can cause hypotension, impair cardiac output, exacerbate pulmonary congestion, initiate myocardial ischemia, and in rare cases may lead to a tachycardia-mediated cardiomyopathy [2]. Symptoms commonly experienced by individuals with AFl include palpitations, dizziness, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and fatigue. However, some individuals are asymptomatic.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ATLAS Medical Research Inc, Miami, FL, USA

    Peter Andrew

  2. Cardiology Department and Arrhythmia Center of Cardiovascular Research Institute, IRCCS Policlinico MultiMedica, Sesto S. Giovanni (MI), Italy

    Annibale Sandro Montenero

Authors
  1. Peter Andrew
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  2. Annibale Sandro Montenero
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. “Garibaldi-Nesima” Hospital, Catania, Italy

    Michele M. Gulizia MD (Chief of Cardiology Division) (Chief of Cardiology Division)

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© 2007 Springer-Verlag Italia

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Andrew, P., Montenero, A.S. (2007). Cryocatheter Ablation for Atrial Flutter. In: Gulizia, M.M. (eds) Current News in Cardiology. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-0636-2_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-0636-2_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-0635-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-0636-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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