Elevated Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke in Patients with Atrial Flutter – A Population-Based Study

Conclusions Patients with isolated atrial flutter develop atrial fibrillation and stroke at a higher rate than the general population. Catheter ablation reduces but does not eliminate future AF incidence and stroke risk and continued anticoagulation after successful atrial flutter ablation may therefore be warranted. Teaser We examine the incidence of atrial fibrillation and stroke in a large real-world cohort of patients with atrial flutter, and the impact of atrial flutter ablation. Patients with atrial flutter developed atrial fibrillation and stroke at a higher rate than the general population. Atrial flutter ablation reduces but does not eliminate the incidence of atrial fibrillation. Continued anticoagulation after successful flutter ablation may be indicated, as ablation does not entirely eliminate future AF incidence.
Source: Canadian Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research