Complete Information on Chaotic atrial tachycardia

Multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT) is an arrhythmia with an irregular atrial rate greater than 100 beats per minute (bpm). Atrial activity is well organized, with at least 3 morphologically distinct P waves, irregular P-P intervals, and an isoelectric baseline between the P waves. The arrhythmia developed during an acute illness in 18 cases (58%). However, it occasionally occurred in paroxysms without an apparent cause in patients with chronic disease. The arrhythmia was not associated with digitalis toxicity or with rhythm disturbances.

Chaotic atrial tachycardia is a relatively infrequent arrhythmia, with a prevalence rate of 0.05-0.32% in patients who are hospitalized. The condition is even less common in children and young adults. Chaotic atrial tachycardiais predominantly observed in males. chaotic atrial tachycardia is commonly observed in older patients. Causes of chaotic atrial tachycardia are mainly related illnesses such as, COPD, coronary artery disease, CHF, valvular heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia and azotemia. Other causes are postoperative state and pulmonary embolism.

Treatment of this arrhythmia involves handling and/or turnaround of the precipitating reason. Oral and intravenous amiodarone (300 mg PO tid or 450-1500 mg IV over 2-24 h) has been used and is efficient in transition to natural sinus cycle. Metoprolol has been used to depress the ventricular pace. More patients change to a natural sinus cycle when treated with beta-blockers. Esmolol can too be used to curb the ventricular pace as an intravenous infusion. It has a really brief half-life and can be terminated rapidly in the case of an unfavorable reactionThe goals of pharmacotherapy are to cut morbidity and to forbid complications.