What is the difference between atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter?
Atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation are very similar. In both arrhythmias, the atria beat much faster than normal. The main difference is that the atria beat regularly in atrial flutter and irregularly in atrial fibrillation. In atrial fibrillation, the atria are stimulated to contract very quickly and differently from the normal pattern. The impulses are sent to the ventricles in an irregular pattern. This makes the ventricles beat abnormally, leading to an irregular (and usually fast) pulse. In atrial flutter, the ventricles may beat very fast, but in a regular pattern. Controlled A-Fib is a rate of 100 or less. Uncontrolled A-Fib is a rate greater than 100. A-Flutter is a regular rhythm and rate is usually under 100. Atrial flutter is usually temporary. Typically, it either goes away (with or without treatment) or changes into another arrhythmia, usually atrial fibrillation. Sometimes atrial fibrillation is intermittent. But it can become constant, with no periods of normal heart
