ATRIAL ECTOPIC TACHYCARDIA IN AN INFANT C AUSED BY A TUMOR IN THE INTERATRIAL SEPTUM

A case of atrial ectopic tachycardia in an infant probably caused by a small tumor in the interatrial septum is presented. The arrhythmia wa s successfully treated with amiodarone. Several histologic abnormaliti es are known to cause AET, but an intracardiac tumor detectable by two -dimensional echocardiography is extremely rare. AET - especially in c hildhood - as well as cardiac tumors show a tendency to regression, so that even in this case medical treatment should be the first therapeu tic choice. Interventional or surgical treatment is required just for those patients with AET that is resistant to medical treatment or reoc curs after finishing the medical treatment.