Multifocal atrial tachycardia: Difference between revisions

 
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==Background==
==Background==
[[File:Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia.svg|thumb|Rhythm strip of multifocal atrial tachycardia.]]
*Multiple (3 or more) ectopic foci in the atria causing an irregular atrial tachycardia
*Multiple (3 or more) ectopic foci in the atria causing an irregular atrial tachycardia
*Increased automaticity due to causes listed below
*Increased automaticity due to causes listed below
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*[[CHF]]
*[[CHF]]
*[[Sepsis]]
*[[Sepsis]]
*Methylxanthine toxicity
*[[Methylxanthine toxicity]] / [[Theophylline toxicity]]
*Electrolyte abnormalities
*[[Electrolyte abnormalities]]
*Other associations
*Other associations
**Valvular heart disease
**[[Valvular heart disease]]
**[[DM]]
**[[DM]]
**[[Acute renal failure]]
**[[Acute renal failure]]
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**[[Pneumonia]]
**[[Pneumonia]]
**[[Anemia]]
**[[Anemia]]
**[[Digoxin toxicity]]


==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
*Palpitations
*[[Palpitations]]
*Dyspnea
*[[Dyspnea]]
*Chest pain
*[[Chest pain]]
*Presyncope/syncope
*Presyncope/[[syncope]]
[[File:Multifocal atrial tachycardia - MAT.png|thumb|Multifocal atrial tachycardia]]


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
{{Tachycardia (narrow) DDX}}
{{Palpitations DDX}}
{{Palpitations DDX}}


==Diagnosis==
==Evaluation==
[[File:Multifocal atrial tachycardia - MAT.png|thumb|Multifocal atrial tachycardia]]
*[[ECG]]
*[[ECG]]
**Irregular tachycardia (>100 bpm)
**Irregular tachycardia (>100 bpm)
**At least 3 distinct p wave morphologies
**At least 3 distinct p wave morphologies with different P-R intervals
**No dominant pacemaker site
**No dominant pacemaker site
*BMP, Magnesium
*BMP, Magnesium
*Hb/Hct
*Hemoglobin/hematocrit
*Consider infectious disease work up
*Consider infectious disease work up
*Consider ABG/VBG
*Consider [[ABG]]/[[VBG]]


==Management==
==Management==
*Treat the underlying cause
*Treat underlying cause
*Replace magnesium
*Replace [[magnesium]]
*Replace potassium
*Replace [[potassium]]
*Increased AV nodal activity is unlikely to be effective
*Increased AV nodal activity is unlikely to be effective
**Vagal maneuvers and adenosine may help reveal underlying rhythm/p-waves
**[[Vagal maneuvers]] and [[adenosine]] may help reveal underlying rhythm/p-waves
**Can consider BB/CCB in hemodynamically stable patient (caution with pulmonary disease)
**Can consider [[beta-blocker]] or [[calcium channel blocker]] in hemodynamically stable patient
*Cardioversion not definitive, likely recurrence if underlying illness not addressed
***Use beta-blockers cautiously in patients with pulmonary disease
*[[Cardioversion]] ''not'' definitive
**MAT likely to recur if underlying etiology not addressed


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
*Disposition depends on the underlying illness, but often requires admission due to illness severity/age
*Disposition depends on underlying illness, but often requires admission due to illness severity
*Poor prognostic sign when developed during hospitalization/illness
*Poor prognostic sign when MAT develops during hospitalization or acute illness
**60% in hospital mortality
**60% in-hospital mortality
**mean survival around 1 year
***Due to illness, not arrhythmia
**Due to illness not arrhythmia  
**Mean survival around 1 year


==See Also==
==See Also==
*[[Dysrhythmias]]


==External Links==
==External Links==

Latest revision as of 17:13, 30 July 2025

Background

Rhythm strip of multifocal atrial tachycardia.
  • Multiple (3 or more) ectopic foci in the atria causing an irregular atrial tachycardia
  • Increased automaticity due to causes listed below

Causes

Clinical Features

Differential Diagnosis

Narrow-complex tachycardia

Palpitations

Evaluation

Multifocal atrial tachycardia
  • ECG
    • Irregular tachycardia (>100 bpm)
    • At least 3 distinct p wave morphologies with different P-R intervals
    • No dominant pacemaker site
  • BMP, Magnesium
  • Hemoglobin/hematocrit
  • Consider infectious disease work up
  • Consider ABG/VBG

Management

Disposition

  • Disposition depends on underlying illness, but often requires admission due to illness severity
  • Poor prognostic sign when MAT develops during hospitalization or acute illness
    • 60% in-hospital mortality
      • Due to illness, not arrhythmia
    • Mean survival around 1 year

See Also

External Links

References