Surface ECG evaluation of left atrial flutter circuits demonstrated decreased voltage in the inferior leads compared with counterclockwise CTI atrial flutter (1.6±1 vs 2.68±0.7 mV; P<0.05).
Observational (n=47)
What are the surface ECG characteristics of non-cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent right and left atrial flutter circuits?
Surface ECG patterns can help differentiate between CTI-dependent and non-CTI-dependent right and left atrial flutter circuits, with left atrial circuits typically showing flat or low-amplitude forces in inferior leads.
Absolute Event Rate: 1.6% vs 2.68%
p-value: p=<0.05
BACKGROUND: There is little information about the surface expression of non-cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI)-dependent right atrial (RA) or left atrial (LA) flutter circuits. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively evaluated 32 episodes (in 26 patients) of atypical RA and 22 episodes (in 21 patients) of LA flutter. The surface ECG of 13 patients with lower-loop reentry was similar to that of their pattern during counterclockwise (CCW) CTI atrial flutter (AFL), except for decreased amplitude of the terminal forces in the inferior leads. In 11 of 24 episodes characterized by high or multiple breaks over the crista, the ECG showed changes that depended on the initial activation sequence of the LA. In 7 of 8 episodes of upper-loop reentry, the ECG pattern completely mimicked that for clockwise (CW) CTI AFL. All 11 patients with an LA septal circuit showed a typical ECG pattern characterized by prominent forces in lead V1 with flat deflections in the other surface leads. Eleven patients with other LA circuits had a more variable pattern but showed decreased voltage in the inferior leads compared with that of a group with CCW-CTI AFL (1.6+/-1 vs 2.68+/-0.7 mV, respectively; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The RA surface-ECG patterns different from those of CCW or CW-CTI could still be CTI dependent. In contrast, a typical CW-CTI surface pattern was always seen in patients with upper-loop reentry, which was non-CTI dependent. LA AFL circuits had either flat or low-amplitude forces in the inferior leads.
Bochoeyer et al. (Tue,) conducted a observational in Atypical right atrial and left atrial flutter (n=47). Surface electrocardiogram (ECG) evaluation vs. Counterclockwise CTI atrial flutter was evaluated on Voltage in inferior leads (p=<0.05). Surface ECG evaluation of left atrial flutter circuits demonstrated decreased voltage in the inferior leads compared with counterclockwise CTI atrial flutter (1.6±1 vs 2.68±0.7 mV; P<0.05).