Abstract

ZUNIGA, Mauricio; FERNANDEZ, Ricardo  and  SALDARRIAGA, Clara Inés. Cardiomyopathy induced by tachycardia in a woman with atrial flutter. Acta Med Colomb [online]. 2013, vol.38, n.3, pp.173-176. ISSN 0120-2448.

Abstract Cardiomyopathy induced by tachycardia (TIC) is a rare and potentially reversible cause of heart failure. Its clinical manifestations are nonspecific and treatment should be directed to strategies that seek to control heart rhythm such as cardioversion, ablation, treatment with antiarrhythmic to achieve reduce symptoms and improve left ventricular function. We report the case of a 24 year old woman with severe dilated cardiomyopathy secondary to atrial flutter. After electrical cardioversion and subsequent isolation of the cavotricuspid isthmus, she had a complete recovery of the ejection fraction. Conclusion: atrial flutter is a common cause of tachycardia that can lead to hemodynamic collapse, atrial thrombus formation and uncommon manifestations such as cardiomyopathy; for this reason, efforts should be made to do early recognition and establish management strategies for the short and long term to guarantee a normal heart rate. (Acta Med Colomb 2013; 38: 173-176).

Keywords : dilated cardiomyopathy; atrial flutter; electrical cardioversion; heart failure; catheter ablation.

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