Help me out...Atrial-Fib vs Atrial flutter

[Omegadramon]

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Its hard to keep the differences apart

but the treatment is the same, right (rate control, anti-coag, cardioversion?)

 

[Thoughtfulsinner]

Why post this on the pharmacy forum? Post it over on the medical forums.

 

[Pharmavixen]

Well I wouldn't say that - pharmacists have a role to play in AA tx; counselling people doing the "pill in pocket" approach to paroxysmal AF, the drug interactions that can cause TdP, etc.

I found learning the basic patho helped keep those straight - I had a look at both Dipiro and Koda-Kimble. Koda-kimble has some nice drawings that helps explain the electophysiology of the heart, showing where the action potential comes from and suchlike.

 

[cwindo]

Aflutter usually preceeds afib. Aflutter is the sawtooth pattern on EKG. Afib is irregular QRS rhythm with some 'quivering' baseline. Treatments depend on if the patients are stable or not. Unstable patients, cardiovert. Stable - drugs like diltiazem and beta blockers. I think the drugs are similar for both...

Just took my ACLS test today!

 

[njac]

Aflutter usually preceeds afib. Aflutter is the sawtooth pattern on EKG. Afib is irregular QRS rhythm with some 'quivering' baseline. Treatments depend on if the patients are stable or not. Unstable patients, cardiovert. Stable - drugs like diltiazem and beta blockers. I think the drugs are similar for both...

Just took my ACLS test today!

you might want to recheck that. Are you sure afib has any influence on QRS rhythm?

 

[jyw003]

In atrial fib, doesn't the P wave differ, while the QRS stays the same?

 

[EDF5]

In atrial fib, doesn't the P wave differ, while the QRS stays the same?

with atrial fibrillation, there is not identifiable p-wave on ekg, atrial flutter may progress to atrial fibrillation and is characterized by the "sawtooth" pattern on ekg