Atrial flutter other diagnostic studies

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Farima Kahe M.D. [2]

Overview

Other diagnostic tests for atrial flutter include exercise testing, use of the holter monitor, exercise testing and the administration of adenosine.

Other diagnostic studies for atrial flutter include:^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]

Exercise testing , which demonstrates:
- To reproduce exercise induced atrial flutter/fibrillation
- To identify underlying ischemic heart disease (IHD). Every patient with atrial flutter should be evaluated for underlying coronary heart disease as the prescription of Ic antiarrhythmics (flecainide, propafenone), which also act as proarrhythmics, for flutter can cause increased mortality in such patients.

Holter monitoring, which demonstrates:
- Atrial arrhythmias in patients who present with nonspecific cardiac symptoms.

Adenosine testing, which demonstrates:
- Reveal flutter waves on the EKG by transiently blocking the AV node.

↑ Bonomi AG, Schipper F, Eerikäinen LM, Margarito J, van Dinther R, Muesch G, de Morree HM, Aarts RM, Babaeizadeh S, McManus DD, Dekker L (August 2018). “Atrial Fibrillation Detection Using a Novel Cardiac Ambulatory Monitor Based on Photo-Plethysmography at the Wrist”. J Am Heart Assoc. 7 (15): e009351. doi:10.1161/JAHA.118.009351. PMC 6201454. PMID 30371247. Vancouver style error: initials (help)
↑ Morales GX, Macle L, Khairy P, Charnigo R, Davidson E, Thal S, Ching CK, Lellouche N, Whitbeck M, Delisle B, Thompson J, Di Biase L, Natale A, Nattel S, Elayi CS (September 2013). “Adenosine testing in atrial flutter ablation: unmasking of dormant conduction across the cavotricuspid isthmus and risk of recurrence”. J. Cardiovasc. Electrophysiol. 24 (9): 995–1001. doi:10.1111/jce.12174. PMID 23701241.
↑ Bunch TJ, Chandrasekaran K, Gersh BJ, Hammill SC, Hodge DO, Khan AH, Packer DL, Pellikka PA (April 2004). “The prognostic significance of exercise-induced atrial arrhythmias”. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 43 (7): 1236–40. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2003.10.054. PMID 15063436.
↑ Boudoulas H, Schaal SF, Lewis RP, Robinson JL (1979). “Superiority of 24-hour outpatient monitoring over multi-stage exercise testing for the evaluation of syncope”. J Electrocardiol. 12 (1): 103–8. doi:10.1016/s0022-0736(79)80052-7. PMID 422911.