If you have a condition that can lead to MAT, that condition should be treated first.

Treatment for MAT includes:

• Methods to improve blood oxygen levels
• Magnesium given through a vein
• Stopping medications, such as theophylline, which can increase the heart rate
• Medicines to control the heart rate, such as such as calcium channel blockers (verapamil, diltiazem) or certain beta-blockers

MAT can be controlled if the condition that causes the rapid heartbeat is treated and controlled.

• Cardiomyopathy
• Heart failure
• Reduced pumping action of the heart

Call your health care provider if:

• A rapid or irregular heartbeat is associated with other MAT symptoms
• You have MAT and your symptoms get worse, do not improve with treatment, or new symptoms develop

Images

Heart, front view

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Multifocal atrial tachycardia Symptoms

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Multifocal atrial tachycardia Prevention

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)