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Role of electrophysiological study and ablation in the management of recurrent atrial flutter associated with haemodynamic compromise in a critically ill patient
Author(s) -
Kojodjojo P.,
Kanagaratnam P.,
Davies D. W.,
Peters N. S.,
Markides V.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2005.04138.x
Subject(s) - medicine , atrial flutter , cardiology , flutter , cardiogenic shock , ablation , atrial fibrillation , cardioversion , hemodynamics , shock (circulatory) , catheter ablation , intensive care , intensive care medicine , myocardial infarction , engineering , aerodynamics , aerospace engineering
Summary Atrial flutter is a common arrhythmia. In the critical care setting, the arrhythmia may present in any patient, but it is most commonly seen in patients with impaired ventricular function, valvular disease, atrial dilatation or after cardiac surgery. We present a 68‐year‐old lady with recurrent poorly tolerated atrial flutter that was resistant to multiple pharmacological interventions and complicated by cardiogenic shock following direct current cardioversion. The flutter was successfully cured with radiofrequency ablation and was followed by an immediate improvement in her haemodynamic status. We review the management of acute atrial flutter and discuss the role of electrophysiologically guided ablation.