What is the pattern of atrial flutter?

Atrial flutter causes the heart to beat in a fast but regular pattern — unlike afib, which causes a fast and irregular pattern. Atrial flutter produces a distinctive “sawtooth” pattern on an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), a test used to monitor the heart and diagnose heart rhythm disorders.

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How is Nonvalvular AFib treated?

Three principal treatments should be considered: pharmacologic rate control, cardioversion and antiarrhythmic therapy to restore and maintain sinus rhythm, and prophylactic anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy to reduce the risk of stroke . The risks and benefits of each of these therapies have been reviewed.

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