Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGPClinical Lead • iatroX
A 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is the standard tool used to diagnose atrial fibrillation (AF) NICE NG196. Similarly, an electrocardiographic approach is employed for atrial flutter (AFL), which includes its differential diagnosis Bagliani et al. 2022. While both conditions are diagnosed via ECG, the provided information does not detail the specific ECG characteristics that differentiate atrial fibrillation from atrial flutter. It is important to note that the CHA2DS2-VASc stroke risk score is used to assess stroke risk in people with either symptomatic or asymptomatic paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent atrial fibrillation, as well as atrial flutter NICE NG196.
Key References
- NG196 - Atrial fibrillation: diagnosis and management
- (Wadke, 2013): Atrial fibrillation.
- (Strik et al., 2021): Smartwatch-based detection of cardiac arrhythmias: Beyond the differentiation between sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation.
- (Bagliani et al., 2022): Electrocardiographic Approach to Atrial Flutter: Classifications and Differential Diagnosis.