Electrophysiology & Ablation
Atrial Flutter Ablation
In some hearts, an abnormal heart rhythm develops when an electrical impulse starts from a different location, other than the SA node, or follows a route (or pathway) that is not normally present. This is what happens in atrial flutter.
How do abnormal heart rhythms occur?
In some hearts, an abnormal heart rhythm develops when an electrical impulse starts from a different location, other than the SA node, or follows a route (or pathway) that is not normally present. This is what happens in atrial flutter. A short-circuit develops in the right atrium.
Atrial Flutter
A single abnormal electrical short-circuit originates from the right atrium. Atrial flutter is due to a short circuit in one of the upper chambers of your heart termed the right atrium. This rapid short circuit has several consequences:
The short circuit drives the pumping chambers very rapidly and sometimes erratically. This produces palpitations, shortness of breath and tiredness. In some people it can also cause dizziness and chest pain.
The short circuit results in ineffective pumping of the upper chambers. This leads to slow blood flow in both of these upper chambers (the left and right atrium). This can rarely cause blood clots and possibly stroke. One of the major reasons to cure atrial flutter is to prevent this risk of stroke.