Senile atrial flutter

Atrial flutter (AF) in the elderly refers to rapid, regular atrial electrical activity. On the electrocardiogram, it manifests as flutter waves of equal size, fast and regular frequency (atrial rate generally 240-340 beats/min), with no isoelectric line. The frequency of atrial flutter is intermediate between paroxysmal atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation, and the three can convert to each other. The occurrence of atrial flutter often suggests the presence of organic heart disease and is rarely seen in normal individuals. Because of the rapid rate, it can often cause hemodynamic disturbances and should be actively managed.