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Atrial Flutter

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Heart Rhythm Disorders

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Abstract

Since its original description, atrial flutter (AFL) has baffled cardiologist for much of the twentieth century. Its mechanism and treatment were a source of much debate and controversy. The discovery of the purple foxglove—digitalis purpurea by William Withering was the only available treatment for this rhythm abnormality until quinidine appeared on the scene. The birth of clinical cardiac electrophysiology finally solved the mystery of AFL in man and led to the knowledge of its mechanism. In this chapter, the author reviews historical aspects of this rhythm abnormality as well as epidemiology, clinical presentation, classification, and current treatment with special reference to catheter ablation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA

    J. Anthony Gomes

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Correspondence to J. Anthony Gomes .

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Gomes, J.A. (2020). Atrial Flutter. In: Heart Rhythm Disorders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45066-3_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45066-3_10

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