
6,7 Later human studies left the door open for a focal mechanism. Early studies suggested that flutter had a re-entrant mechanism 3–5 but others attributed flutter to focal discharge. Slower tachycardias displaying discrete P waves, separated by isoelectric baselines, were called ‘atrial tachycardia’. 1,2 On the ECG, flutter was a regular continuous undulation between QRS complexes at a cycle length (CL) of ≤250 ms (≥240 bpm). The term ‘flutter’ was coined to designate the visual and tactile rapid, regular atrial contraction induced by faradic stimulation in animal hearts, in contrast with irregular, vermiform contraction in atrial fibrillation (AF). In patients subjected to cardiac surgery or catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation or showing atypical ECG patterns, macro-re-entrant and focal tachycardia mechanisms can be very complex and electrophysiological studies are necessary to guide ablation treatment in poorly tolerated cases. Secondary prevention, based on the treatment of associated atrial fibrillation risk factors, is emerging as a therapeutic option. In patients without a history of heart disease, cardiac surgery or catheter ablation, typical flutter ECG remains predictive of a right atrial re-entry circuit dependent on the inferior vena cava–tricuspid isthmus that can be very effectively treated by ablation, although late incidence of atrial fibrillation remains a problem. Electrophysiological studies have defined multiple mechanisms of tachycardia, both re-entrant and focal, with varying ECG morphologies and rates, authenticated by the results of catheter ablation of the focal triggers or critical isthmuses of re-entry circuits.


To learn more about how rates work and how they can inform financial decisions, see our definition of the annual percentage rate.Clinical electrophysiology has made the traditional classification of rapid atrial rhythms into flutter and tachycardia of little clinical use. Find out more about the annual equivalent rate (AER). It should not be confused with the Annual Percentage Rate (APR). The AER recalculates the interest rate by figuring out what the total cost of the loan would be if it was structured in the conventional way, with interest compounded annually. This helps give borrowers greater clarity about the cost of the credit, known as the nominal interest rate. The AER allows borrowers to see through the complications of loans and other products in which the compounding of the interest is worked out at intervals of other than a year, such as weekly, monthly or quarterly. What you need to know about the annual equivalent rate (AER). Consumer groups elsewhere claim AER is the clearest measure of interest, so if it's not automatically given where you are you may still have heard it suggested that AER should be the standard measure of the cost of credit. In some jurisdictions, credit providers are obliged to tell borrowers of the AER. Where have you heard about the annual equivalent rate (AER)?


This is valuable for consumers with debts where interest is worked out monthly or quarterly. The annual equivalent rate (AER) is a re-calculation of the rate of interest on a loan or other debt product to give the figure as it would be if it were calculated annually.
