Ectopic Atrial Tachycardia

Why Did I Choose This Disease?

Predisposing Factors and Causes

Anatomical Effects

Disease Process

Definition

When I was little I was diagnosed with having this condition. As an adult, I have grown out of it as it is predominately a childhood disease.

The heart sends electrical impulses to a different location than the SA node, creating a "second" SA node. This second SA node beats at over 200 bpm, straining the heart, interrupting regular blood flow and leading to heart failure.

EAT is most common in children under 5 years of age, and they usually grow out of it or are able to receive treatment to eliminate it before they become adults.

You cannot catch this disease, and it does not have one specific cause, it seems to randomly occur. However, some point to genetics, family history, RSV and tumors.

Malfunction of electrical signals sent to the heart, which results in rapid contraction and irregular blood flow to the body with a heart rate of 250- 300 bpm. This ultimately can lead to heart failure.

The heart is primarily effected by this disease, as it causes the heart muscles to be extremely over worked. Lungs are also effected due to the interruption with the heart and lung circulation.

Diagnostic Test

Complications

• Echocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram
• Stress Test

Complications can occur if the disease is not treated. Immediately, the patient can experience heart failure. Long term complications can include hypertension and stroke.

Ectopic Atrial Tachycardia

Alex Smith

Therapy and Interventions

References

Prognosis

Onset, Signs and Symptoms

Until there is a cardiac episode, there are no symptoms of this disease. When an episode does happen the following signs and symptoms may present:

• https://www.epainassist.com/chest-pain/heart/ectopic-atrial-tachycardia
• https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/898784-overview#a7
• https://ecgwaves.com/ectopic-atrial-rhythm-multifocal-tachycardia-multifocal/
• https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Ectopic-atrial-tachycardia-A-Narrow-QRS-tachycardia-with-a-ventricular-rate-of-180_fig4_321682035
• http://www.londonarrhythmiacentre.co.uk/diagnosis-svt-atrial-tachycardia.html
• https://www.slideshare.net/ahsanshafiq90/supraventricular-tachyarrythmias

If the disease is treated with medications the patient will no longer present any more symptoms and will have "grown out of" the disease by the time they are an adult.

Only 1/3 of patients who receive treatment will fall out of remission. The majority of these patients are over 3 years old when they initially showed symptoms.

This disease is considered to be rare (1 in 10,000 are diagnosed with it) and because of that there are not many physicians who are educated on how to care for patients with this problem. There are not any researched prevention practices or methods because this disease is not a major problem for most people.

The most common medications used to treat are atenolol and digoxin. The medications help to regulate the heart rate and promote the healing of damage done to the SA node.

As a last resort, a catheter can be placed into the heart and sound waves are then used to destroy the area that has over powered the SA node.

• Palpitations
• Dyspnea at rest or with activity
• Decreased ability to play or perform other activities
• Appetite loss.
• Chest pain
• Rapid breathing
• Heart pounding
• Dizziness
• Syncopal events