What causes ventricular flutter?

What causes ventricular flutter?

• A. A series of atrial contractions
• B. A single ventricular automaticity focus
• C. Pacemaker malfunction
• D. Myocardial infarction

Answer: (B)

Ventricular flutter, also known as ventricular flutter or ventricular tachycardia with a very rapid rate, is primarily caused by a single ventricular automaticity focus. This condition arises when a specific part of the ventricular myocardium generates electrical impulses at an extremely fast rate, overriding the normal pacemaker activity of the heart. This rapid firing can lead to disorganized heart contractions that impair the heart’s ability to effectively pump blood, resulting in symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, or even sudden cardiac arrest.

In contrast to the other options, a series of atrial contractions refers to atrial activity that does not directly cause ventricular flutter, as the problem lies within the ventricles themselves. Pacemaker malfunction can lead to various arrhythmias but is not the primary cause of ventricular flutter, which stems from ectopic foci in the ventricles rather than pacemaker failure. Myocardial infarction may contribute to a wider range of arrhythmias including ventricular fibrillation, but it is not the direct mechanism behind the development of ventricular flutter. Thus, the identification of a single focus of automaticity in the ventricles highlights the unique cause of this particular arrhythmia.