Donate Help Contact The AHA Sign In Home
American Heart Association
Circulation
Search: search_blue_button Advanced Search
Circulation. 2000;101:270-279

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Kall, J. G.
Right arrow Articles by Wilber, D. J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Kall, J. G.
Right arrow Articles by Wilber, D. J.
Related Collections
Right arrow Electrophysiology
Right arrow Ablation/ICD/surgery
Right arrow Arrhythmias, clinical electrophysiology, drugs

(Circulation. 2000;101:270.)
© 2000 American Heart Association, Inc.


Clinical Investigation and Reports

Atypical Atrial Flutter Originating in the Right Atrial Free Wall

John G. Kall, MD; Donald S. Rubenstein, MD, PhD; Douglas E. Kopp, MD; Martin C. Burke, DO; Ralph J. Verdino, MD; Albert C. Lin, MD; C. Timothy Johnson, MD; Philip A. Cooke, MBBS; Zhong G. Wang, MD, PhD; Michael Fumo, BS; David J. Wilber, MD

From the University of Chicago, Chicago, Ill.

Correspondence to John Kall, MD, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, MC 9024, 5758 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL 60637. E-mail jkall{at}medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu

Background—Data from experimental models of atrial flutter indicate that macro-reentrant circuits may be confined by anatomic and functional barriers remote from the tricuspid annulus–eustachian ridge atrial isthmus. Data characterizing the various forms of atypical atrial flutter in humans are limited.

Methods and Results—In 6 of 160 consecutive patients referred for ablation of counterclockwise and/or clockwise typical atrial flutter, an additional atypical atrial flutter was mapped to the right atrial free wall. Five patients had no prior cardiac surgery. Incisional atrial tachycardia was excluded in the remaining patient. High-density electroanatomic maps of the reentrant circuit were obtained in 3 patients. Radiofrequency energy application from a discrete midlateral right atrial central line of conduction block to the inferior vena cava terminated and prevented the reinduction of atypical atrial flutter in each patient. Atrial flutter has not recurred in any patient (follow-up, 18±17 months; range, 3 to 40 months).

Conclusions—Atrial flutter can arise in the right atrial free wall. This form of atypical atrial flutter could account for spontaneous or inducible atrial flutter observed in patients referred for ablation and is eliminated with linear ablation directed at the inferolateral right atrium.


Key Words: atrial flutter • reentry • mapping • catheter ablation




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
B. John, M. K. Stiles, P. Kuklik, S. T. Chandy, G. D. Young, L. Mackenzie, L. Szumowski, G. Joseph, J. Jose, S. G. Worthley, et al.
Electrical remodelling of the left and right atria due to rheumatic mitral stenosis
Eur. Heart J., July 10, 2008; (2008) ehn329v1.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
C. Medi and J. M. Kalman
Prediction of the atrial flutter circuit location from the surface electrocardiogram
Europace, July 1, 2008; 10(7): 786 - 796.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
J. L. Huang, C.-T. Tai, Y.-J. Lin, B.-H. Huang, K.-T. Lee, S. Higa, Y. Yuniadi, Y.-J. Chen, S.-L. Chang, L.-W. Lo, et al.
Substrate Mapping to Detect Abnormal Atrial Endocardium With Slow Conduction in Patients With Atypical Right Atrial Flutter
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., August 1, 2006; 48(3): 492 - 498.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
A. Nabar, C. Timmermans, A. Medeiros, K. Polymeropoulous, H.J.G.M. Crijns, and L.M. Rodriguez
Radiofrequency ablation of atrial arrhythmias after previous open-heart surgery
Europace, January 1, 2005; 7(1): 40 - 49.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
C.-T. Tai, T.-Y. Liu, P.-C. Lee, Y.-J. Lin, M.-S. Chang, and S.-A. Chen
Non-contact mapping to guide radiofrequency ablation of atypical right atrial flutter
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., September 1, 2004; 44(5): 1080 - 1086.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
P. Sanders, J. B. Morton, P. M. Kistler, S. J. Spence, N. C. Davidson, A. Hussin, J. K. Vohra, P. B. Sparks, and J. M. Kalman
Electrophysiological and Electroanatomic Characterization of the Atria in Sinus Node Disease: Evidence of Diffuse Atrial Remodeling
Circulation, March 30, 2004; 109(12): 1514 - 1522.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
Committee Members, C. Blomstrom-Lundqvist, M. M. Scheinman, E. M. Aliot, J. S. Alpert, H. Calkins, A. J. Camm, W. B. Campbell, D. E. Haines, K. H. Kuck, et al.
ACC/AHA/ESC guidelines for the management of patients with supraventricular arrhythmias --executive summary: a report of the American college of cardiology/American heart association task force on practice guidelines and the European society of cardiology committee for practice guidelines (writing committee to develop guidelines for the management of patients with supraventricular arrhythmias) Developed in Collaboration with NASPE-Heart Rhythm Society
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., October 15, 2003; 42(8): 1493 - 1531.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
C. Blomstrom-Lundqvist, M. M. Scheinman, E. M. Aliot, J. S. Alpert, H. Calkins, A. J. Camm, W. B. Campbell, D. E. Haines, K. H. Kuck, B. B. Lerman, et al.
ACC/AHA/ESC Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Supraventricular Arrhythmias*--Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Develop Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Supraventricular Arrhythmias)
Circulation, October 14, 2003; 108(15): 1871 - 1909.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
Committee Members, C. Blomstrom-Lundqvist, M. M Scheinman, E. M Aliot, J. S Alpert, H. Calkins, A.J. Camm, W.B. Campbell, D. E Haines, K. H Kuck, et al.
ACC/AHA/ESC guidelines for the management of patients with supraventricular arrhythmias--executive summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American HeartAssociation Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines(Writing Committee to Develop Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Supraventricular Arrhythmias)Developed in collaboration with NASPE-Heart Rhythm Society
Eur. Heart J., October 2, 2003; 24(20): 1857 - 1897.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
P. Sanders, J. B. Morton, N. C. Davidson, S. J. Spence, J. K. Vohra, P. B. Sparks, and J. M. Kalman
Electrical Remodeling of the Atria in Congestive Heart Failure: Electrophysiological and Electroanatomic Mapping in Humans
Circulation, September 23, 2003; 108(12): 1461 - 1468.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
A. Bochoeyer, Y. Yang, J. Cheng, R. J. Lee, E. C. Keung, N. F. Marrouche, A. Natale, and M. M. Scheinman
Surface Electrocardiographic Characteristics of Right and Left Atrial Flutter
Circulation, July 8, 2003; 108(1): 60 - 66.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
C.-T. Tai, J.-L. Huang, Y.-K. Lin, M.-H. Hsieh, P.-C. Lee, Y.-A. Ding, M.-S. Chang, and S.-A. Chen
Noncontact three-dimensional mapping and ablation of upper loop re-entry originating in the right atrium
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., August 21, 2002; 40(4): 746 - 753.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
P. Ricard, M. Imianitoff, K. Yaici, J. M. Coutelour, M. Bergonzi, J. P. Rinaldi, and N. Saoudi
Atypical atrial flutters
Europace, January 1, 2002; 4(3): 229 - 239.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
P. D. Bella, A. Fraticelli, C. Tondo, S. Riva, G. Fassini, and C. Carbucicchio
Atypical atrial flutter: clinical features, electrophysiological characteristics and response to radiofrequency catheter ablation
Europace, January 1, 2002; 4(3): 241 - 253.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
N Saoudi, F Cosio, A Waldo, S.A Chen, Y Iesaka, M Lesh, S Saksena, J Salerno, and W Schoels
A classification of atrial flutter and regular atrial tachycardia according to electrophysiological mechanisms and anatomical bases. A Statement from a Joint Expert Group from the Working Group of Arrhythmias of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology
Eur. Heart J., July 2, 2001; 22(14): 1162 - 1182.
[PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
Y. Yang, J. Cheng, A. Bochoeyer, M. H. Hamdan, R. C. Kowal, R. Page, R. J. Lee, P. R. Steiner, L. A. Saxon, M. D. Lesh, et al.
Atypical Right Atrial Flutter Patterns
Circulation, June 26, 2001; 103(25): 3092 - 3098.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
K. Matsuo, K. Uno, C. M. Khrestian, and A. L. Waldo
Conduction left-to-right and right-to-left across the crista terminalis
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, April 1, 2001; 280(4): H1683 - H1691.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]