Variable electrocardiographic characteristics of isthmus-dependent atrial flutter

The purpose of this study was to characterize variations in flutter-wave (F-wave) morphology among patients with clockwise isthmus-dependent (CWID) and counterclockwise isthmus-dependent (CCWID) right atrial flutter (AFL) and to attempt to correlate F-wave morphology with echocardiographic data and clinical patient characteristics. Variations in F-wave morphology on surface electrocardiogram (ECG) during CCWID and CWID flutter have been reported but never systematically characterized. Over a four-year period, 139 patients with AFL on ECG underwent electrophysiologic study and echocardiography at our institution. Electrocardiographic data, intracardiac recordings, echocardiographic data, and patient characteristics were reviewed retrospectively. Of 156 AFLs evaluated, 130 were CCWID, 26 were CWID. Three types of CCWID flutter were observed: type 1 had purely negative F-waves inferiorly, types 2 and 3 had F-waves inferiorly with small (type 2) or broad (type 3) positive terminal deflections; CCWID flutter types 2 and 3 were associated with higher incidence of left atrial (LA) enlargement, heart disease, and atrial fibrillation (Afib) than type 1. Two types of CWID flutter were observed: type 1 had notched positive F-waves with a distinct isoelectric segment inferiorly. Type 2 had broader F-waves inferiorly with positive and negative components and a short isoelectric segment. Variable ECG patterns for CCWID and CWID AFL exist. A positive component of the F-wave in the inferior leads during CCWID flutter is associated with an increased likelihood of heart disease, Afib, and LA enlargement.