Peer Reviewed
ECG education

Is this atrial fibrillation?

Vivienne Miller
Abstract
An ECG showing irregularly contracting atria suggests atrial fibrillation.
Key Points
  • Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of tachyarrhythmia and atrial flutter with a 2:1 block is the next most common.
  • The atria contract irregularly in patients with atrial fibrillation and so the RR interval is variable, the P-waves are absent and the baseline undulates.
  • Atrial flutter is usually suspected when the patient’s heart rate is rapid (most commonly 150 beats per minute) and regular, with the characteristic sawtooth waves as described.
  • A 1:1 AV conduction block is uncommon and may result in severe haemodynamic instability and collapse due to heart rates up to 300 beats per minute. It may precipitate ventricular fibrillation.
Purchase the PDF version of this article
Purchase PDF AUD$34.99
Subscribe for full access to all articles
Already a subscriber?