by Jazz5

How do you tell the difference between atrial flutter and sinus tachycardia. I am looking at a rhythm strip and am finding it difficult. Can someone help?

Re: Learning rhythms

Sinus tach has P waves, hence the word sinus, and PR intervals are within normal limit. Atrial flutter does not have P wave but instead has saw-toothed rhythm before QRS.

Re: Learning rhythms

Hello Jazz5:
I know of a great site that would be a good refresher for someone or the start of a good basis in basic EKG interpretation.
---> http://www.aacn.org/e-learning
Now I am not sure if that particular site is open to all meaning non-aacn members, but worth a look-see, no?
Another good reference is the book: Interpreting Difficult ECGs: A Rapid Reference Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2006 ISBN: 1-58255-447-1
or go to http://www.lww.com
athena

Re: Learning rhythms

As mentioned, having a P before every QRS complex = sinus: http://edr.medctr.ohio-state.edu/Dow...20examples.pdf

Having the typical "saw tooth" pattern = atrial flutter: http://library.med.utah.edu/kw/ecg/m...l_flutter.html


Lots of pics of various ECGs here: http://library.med.utah.edu/kw/ecg/i...ndex.html#Afib