Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Multifocal atrial tachycardia

Table of Contents

Symptoms
  • Chest tightness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Fainting
  • Sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weight loss and failure to thrive in infants

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

  • Breathing difficulty when lying down
  • Dizziness

Signs and tests

An examination shows a rapid heartbeat 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 heartbeat. 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.

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)