[Rapid atrial stimulation in the treatment of atrial flutter (author's transl)].

Study on 35 patients suffering from atrial flutter, in which rapid atrial stimulation was made 40 times. Stimulation-catheters were introduced only by control of the intracardiac ecg without x-ray control. Sinus rhythm was restored in 31 cases, in 17 cases intermediate atrial fibrillation of varying length of duration. In 5 cases atrial fibrillation with normofrequent ventricular action was achieved. Appreciable complications were not seen. Essential advantages of the rapid atrial stimulation are the additional diagnostic information by the intracardiac ecg, the dispensable narcosis, the independence of a simultaneous medicamentous treatment, and the use in cases of sick sinus syndrome, too.