Atrial Flutter in a College Football Player

Abstract

Atrial flutter is relatively uncommon, especially among athletic populations. The case of a 19-year-old college football player who spontaneously developed atrial flutter illustrates recent advances in treatment, including electrical cardioversion and radiofrequency catheter ablation. Return-to-play decisions center around the risk of recurrence and the degree of symptoms during recurrences. Clinicians should be aware that the most current return-to-play guidelines do not take into consideration the newer treatment techniques that have greatly changed definitive management of atrial flutter.