Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia ECG Interpretation with Sample Strip

ECG Strip

Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia Rhythm Strip Features

Rate: Fast (> 100 bpm)
Rhythm: Irregular
P Wave: Often changing shape and size from beat to beat (at least three differing forms)
PR Interval: Variable
QRS: Normal (0.06-0.10 sec)
A faster version of Wandering Atrial Pacemaker. Observe at least three different shaped P waves.
Multifocal atrial tachycardia is caused by electrical signals being sent from multiple (ectopic) locations in the atria rather than from the sinoatrial (SA) node. These multiple signals cause a rapid, inefficient heartbeat. This arrhythmia is more commonly found in patients over 50 years of age, particular in patients with lung disorders. Also see Wandering Atrial Pacemaker, a related abnormality.
External Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multifocal_atrial_tachycardia
Wikipedia

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Authors and Sources

Authors and Reviewers

ECG heart rhythm modules: Thomas O'Brien.
ECG monitor simulation developer: Steve Collmann
12 Lead Course: Dr. Michael Mazzini, MD.
Spanish language ECG: Breena R. Taira, MD, MPH
Medical review: Dr. Jonathan Keroes, MD
Medical review: Dr. Pedro Azevedo, MD, Cardiology
Last Update: 11/8/2021

Sources

Electrocardiography for Healthcare Professionals, 6th Edition Kathryn Booth and Thomas O'Brien
ISBN10: 1265013470, ISBN13: 9781265013479
McGraw Hill, 2023
Rapid Interpretation of EKG's, Sixth Edition
Dale Dublin
Cover Publishing Company
EKG Reference Guide
EKG.Academy
12 Lead EKG for Nurses: Simple Steps to Interpret Rhythms, Arrhythmias, Blocks, Hypertrophy, Infarcts, & Cardiac Drugs
Aaron Reed
Create Space Independent Publishing
Heart Sounds and Murmurs: A Practical Guide with Audio CD-ROM 3rd Edition
Elsevier-Health Sciences Division
Barbara A. Erickson, PhD, RN, CCRN
The Virtual Cardiac Patient: A Multimedia Guide to Heart Sounds, Murmurs, EKG Jonathan Keroes, David Lieberman
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkin)
ISBN-10: 0781784425; ISBN-13: 978-0781784429
Project Semilla, UCLA Emergency Medicine, EKG Training Breena R. Taira, MD, MPH
ECG Reference Guide
PracticalClinicalSkills.com