Symptoms and BPMs for Atrial Flutter

[GeezerFib]

After being diagnosed in fall of 2009 with AFib, and after much research, I decided to seek a surgical, minimally invasive procedure to stop the Afib vs the more typical catheter ablation.  I met with Dr Randall Wolf, inventor of the Wolf Mini Maze, and was scheduled for the procedure this coming late July.  A seven day holter monitor test revealed, however, that I exhibited atrial flutter (AFL) and not Afib, and thus the surgery was canceled.  I am in the process of researching more about AFL, and hence I have joined here.

The literature describes AFL as fast paced atrial "beats" with a regular heart beat (the stronger ventricles beat in regular rhythm compared to an irregular beat with Afib).  However, I have very slow rates when I am having an episode of AFL. My heart monitor recorded a low of 29 bpm, with an average up in the low 50s.  The other symptoms (out of breath, need to cough, chest discomfort) have not changed from the time I was first diagnosed with Afib to now having AFL.

My questions relate to those of you who have definite AFL (flutter) and how many of you have low heart rates during "episodes"?  Are your other symptoms like the ones I describe above?

Does your research reveal that right side ablations will likely stop (cure?) the AFL and have higher success rates compared to left side ablations for Afib?  Any other comments or advice about getting out of the flutter situation, realizing of course, that everyone is somewhat different.

Thanks for any responses.
Ken

[chuparosa]

My experience is quite different. I have been diagnosed with atrial flutter originating in the left atria. During svt my heart rate is usually in the 160 to 170 range. I also was diagnosed with bradycardia which was a real surprise to me as I have no symptoms. On the records from the many 30 day monitoring I have had, it appears the brady comes and goes. Not sure any of this info helps.....

[ireneo]

When I went in for my first ablation, they were going to correct my PSVT. They just happened to find some atrial flutter while they were in there. Funny thing is it seems they got the atrial flutter zapped but now after 3 ablations I still have some PSVT. It's greatly improved but it doesn't want to go away. It could be worse.

I don't know the rate of my flutter. The notes didn't mention that.