FACTORS INFLUENCING THE SUCCESS OF RAPID ATRIAL-PACING FOR TERMINATION OF ATRIAL-FLUTTER

Rapid atrial pacing is an effective method for terminating atrial flut ter. In 64 % of all our cases, atrial flutter could be converted into sinus rhythm. In the other cases, permanent atrial fibrillation result ed or atrial flutter could not be influenced. The success of this meth od depends on the underlying disease, the duration of the arrhythmia, a history of heart failure, previous episodes of atrial fibrillation, the size of the left atrium, the morphology of the flutter waves, the cycle length of the arrhythmia and the minimal paced cycle length nece ssary for termination.