MULTIFOCAL ATRIAL TACHYCARDIA

Multifocal atrial tachycardia is typically seen in elderly patients wi th severe illnesses, most commonly COPD, The mechanism of the arrhythm ia may be delayed afterdepolarizations leading to triggered activity, but this has not been firmly established. The initial treatment of mul tifocal atrial tachycardia should include supportive measures and aggr essive reversal of precipitating causes. Since multifocal atrial tachy cardia is commonly a secondary phenomenon, the role for antiarrhythmic therapy is unclear. Metoprolol, magnesium, and verapamil have been ev aluated in a few treatment studies, and may have a role in the treatme nt of multifocal atrial tachycardia.