Synonyms in the broadest sense
- Tachycardia absoluta
- Tachyarrhythmia absolute
- Tachycardia
- Heart Chase
Atrial flutter or fibrillation is a temporary (intermittent or paroxymal) or permanent (permanent) arrhythmia with disordered activity of the atria. In atrial flutter, the atria contract at frequencies of more than 250-350 beats per minute. In atrial fibrillation, frequencies of 350 to 600 beats per minute are reached.
4% of people over 60 years of age have atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation with tachyarrhythmia absoluta is the most common form of supraventricular tachycardia. The atria perform chaotic actions in which blood is no longer pumped effectively into the chambers.
Thanks to the filtering capability of the AV node, only some of the electrical potentials coming from the atrium are transferred to the chamber, so that the chambers contract quickly but ventricular flutter does not occur. However, the transfer of potentials is absolutely arrhythmic, which is why it is called tachycardia absoluta. Atrial flutter/fibrillation is therefore a disease of the atria, but also has effects on the ventricles. A longer lasting atrial flutter/fibrillation is compatible with life, even if it carries risks.
Symptoms of atrial flutter
Symptoms of atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation occur mainly in the paroxymal (seizure-like) forms and are highly dependent on the frequency that is transmitted to the chambers. The affected person experiences dizziness, palpitations and heart palpitations. The patients feel the heart jump or bounce, describe that something is wrong with the heart.
Since the unusual beating of the heart often leads to anxiety, most patients also experience anxiety or pressure on the chest. In the case of severe tachyarrhythmia, physical performance can also be limited, up to and including shortness of breath and the anxiety that accompanies it. Polyuria (increased urine volume) can also occur. In addition, a pulse deficit can be detected; i.e. individual heart actions that can be heard with the stethoscope on the heart do not lead to a pulse beat. In many cases, however, atrial flutter does not cause any noticeable symptoms.
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