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Benign slow paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
Annals of Internal Medicine
|July 1, 1977
Summary
Brief, slow atrial paroxysms are a common and benign arrhythmia in cardiac patients, distinct from sustained paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. These episodes often occur during sleep or with slow heart rates.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT) is a type of supraventricular tachycardia.
- Distinguishing between different types of PAT is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the features of brief, slow atrial paroxysms observed during 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring.
- To differentiate these episodes from classic sustained paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 203 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic tapes from 140 patients.
- Identification and characterization of 66 episodes of paroxysmal atrial tachycardia.
Main Results:
- 32 patients experienced 66 episodes of brief, slow atrial paroxysms (median 7 beats, mean 116 beats/min).
- Episodes were mostly asymptomatic, occurring during sleep or sinus bradycardia (68%).
- This arrhythmia was the most common paroxysmal supraventricular arrhythmia observed, found in diverse cardiac diagnoses.
Conclusions:
- Brief, slow atrial paroxysms are a benign arrhythmia, distinct from sustained PSVT.
- This rhythm disturbance is prevalent, affecting up to 25% of cardiac patients undergoing ambulatory monitoring.
- Clinical confusion with sustained PSVT should be avoided.