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Multifocal atrial tachycardia

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Symptoms:

• Sensation of feeling the heart beat ( palpitations )
• Light-headedness
• Fainting
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Infants may have weight loss and failure to thrive

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• Dizziness
• Breathing difficulty when lying down

Signs and tests:

An examination shows a rapid heart beat of 100 to 180 beats per minute. Blood pressure is normal or low. There may be signs of poor circulation.

Tests to diagnose MAT include:

• ECG
• Electrophysiologic study (EPS)

Heart monitors are used to record the rapid heart beat. These include:

• 24-hour Holter monitor
• Portable, long-term loop recorders -- allow you to start recording if symptoms occur
• If the patient is in the hospital, the heart rhythm is monitored 24 hours a day.

References:

Ferri FF. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. 8th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2006:540.

Marx J. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002:1080-1081.

• Review Date: 7/17/2006
• Reviewed By: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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