Mitral flutter is associated with what level of cardiac output?

Mitral flutter is associated with what level of cardiac output?

• A. Good output
• B. Bad output
• C. Normal output
• D. Variable output

Answer: (B)

Mitral flutter causes a rapid, regular atrial rhythm that shortens the time the ventricles have to fill. Diastolic filling time decreases, and the loss of the atrial kick (the atrial contraction that helps fill a stiff or diseased ventricle) further reduces ventricular preload. In conditions where the ventricle is less compliant or there is mitral valve disease, this reduction in preload translates directly into a smaller stroke volume. Even though the heart rate is high, the overall forward flow (cardiac output) is diminished, so the blood output is poor. That’s why the best answer reflects a bad level of cardiac output.

Mitral flutter causes a rapid, regular atrial rhythm that shortens the time the ventricles have to fill. Diastolic filling time decreases, and the loss of the atrial kick (the atrial contraction that helps fill a stiff or diseased ventricle) further reduces ventricular preload. In conditions where the ventricle is less compliant or there is mitral valve disease, this reduction in preload translates directly into a smaller stroke volume. Even though the heart rate is high, the overall forward flow (cardiac output) is diminished, so the blood output is poor. That’s why the best answer reflects a bad level of cardiac output.