Almost all of the patients who develop MAT are elderly and have some sort of respiratory compromise or failure. The rhythm is commonly found in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), especially during an exacerbation of their symptoms. Drugs used to treat COPD exacerbations, such as beta-adrenergic agonists (e.g., albuterol), frequently cause the rhythm to develop. The rhythm usually resolves when the underlying condition is treated and corrected. Additional treatment strategies are beyond the scope of this text.
ARRHYTHMIA RECOGNITION
Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia
| Rate: | > 100 to 150 BPM (can be as high as 250 BPM) |
| Regularity: | Irregularly irregular |
| P wave:
Morphology: Upright in II, III, and aVF: |
Present
Different Sometimes |
| P:QRS ratio: | 1:1 |
| PR interval: | Variable |
| QRS width: | Normal or aberrantly conducted |
| Grouping: | None |
| Dropped beats: | Blocked premature atrial contractions (PACs) are possible |
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia