title: Similarities and differences between atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation have a complex relationship that has mechanistic, diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic components. While thromboembolic risk management and pharmacological strategies share many similarities, there are important differences. Radiofrequency ablation should be considered to be an early, first-line alternative to pharmacological strategies for many patients with atrial flutter.
authors.affiliation: Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario. simpsonc@kgh.kari.net
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: L Brent
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: George J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Klein
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000628:therapy*; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic