What is a potentially life-threatening complication of atrial flutter?

Atrial flutter is characterized by a rapid and often irregular heartbeat resulting from chaotic electrical activity in the atria of the heart. One of the significant concerns with atrial flutter is the potential for thrombus formation, which can lead to a stroke.

During atrial flutter, the ineffective contraction of the atria can lead to stasis of blood flow, especially in the left atrial appendage. This can cause blood clots (thrombi) to form in the heart. If a thrombus dislodges, it may travel to the brain, where it can obstruct blood flow and result in an ischemic stroke, which is potentially life-threatening.

This risk of embolism is a critical reason why atrial flutter necessitates careful monitoring and management, especially in patients who are at increased risk for thromboembolic events. Decisions regarding anticoagulation therapy are often influenced by the presence of atrial flutter, especially if the patient has other stroke risk factors.

In contrast, while other options may have their own clinical relevance, they do not carry the same immediacy or severity of risk associated with atrial flutter as thrombus formation and subsequent stroke do. For example, a heart murmur may indicate underlying heart conditions but does not directly