Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CRAT) Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success!

In atrial flutter, the typical heart rate is commonly observed in the range of 100 to 150 beats per minute (bpm). This arrhythmia is characterized by a rapid reentrant circuit usually located in the right atrium, which leads to a distinctive "sawtooth" pattern in the electrocardiogram known as "F-waves." The rapid firing of the atria results in a regular ventricular response, often sustaining rates around this figure.

The heart rate in atrial flutter can vary depending on the ventricular response, which might increase to the higher end of the spectrum (closer to 150 bpm) if there is a 2:1 block, meaning for every two atrial beats, the ventricles beat once. It is crucial for practitioners to recognize this range, as it helps in the diagnosis and subsequent management of patients experiencing this type of arrhythmia.

The other ranges mentioned do not accurately describe the heart rates associated with atrial flutter; lower heart rates would indicate bradycardia or a different arrhythmia, while excessively high heart rates could suggest other conditions, such as atrial fibrillation or a different type of tachycardia.