What is the difference between atrial fibrillation and flutter?

Related, different: Atrial fib is a chaotic, irregular contraction of the top chambers of the heart (atria). Atrial flutter is a rapid, but regular beating of the atria. Both can lead to the same symptoms, both can cause irregular pulse, both have a risk of stroke. Usually flutter is easier to treat with a catheter ablation than af is. An ekg can often tell the difference.

Organization: Atrial flutter is a very organized rhythm in which electricity gets stuck in a loop going round and round, much like cars on a nascar racetrack. Atrial fibrillation is a more complex rhythm, in which the majority of the atrium is in chaos, driven by a focus known as a rotor. Atrial fibrillation is much harder to cure than atrial flutter, however rate control is usually better for fibrillation.