Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
Multifocal atrial tachycardia is a
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The human heart gives off electrical impulses, or signals, which tell it to beat. Normally, these signals begin in an area of the upper right chamber called the sinoatrial node (sinus node or SA node). This node is considered the heart's "natural pacemaker." It helps control the heartbeat. When the heart detects a signal, it contracts (or beats). The normal heart rate in adults is about 60 to 100 beats per minute. The normal heart rate is faster in children.
In multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT), multiple locations within the heart fire signals at the same time. Too many signals lead to a rapid heart rate -- anywhere from 100 to 250 beats per minute. The rapid heart rate causes the heart to work too hard. If the heartbeat is very fast, the heart has less time to fill up with blood, so it doesn't have the right amount of blood to pump to the brain and the rest of the body.
MAT is most common in people age 50 and over. It is often seen in people with conditions that lower the amount of oxygen in the blood. These conditions include:
Bacterial pneumonia -
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Congestive heart failure Lung cancer - Lung failure
Pulmonary embolism
You may be at higher risk for MAT if you have:
Coronary heart disease Diabetes - Had surgery within the last 6 weeks
- Overdosed on the drug theophylline
- Sepsis
Review Date: 05/04/2010
Reviewed By: Issam Mikati, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine. Feinberg School
of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL. Review provided
by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
