Last reviewed: 6 Feb 2021
Last updated: 04 Mar 2020
Summary
Definition
History and exam
Other diagnostic factors
- medications
- palpitations
- fatigue, weakness
- chest pain
- shortness of breath, cough
- nausea, vomiting
- lightheadedness, syncope
- rales
- edema
Risk factors
- coronary artery disease
- substance misuse (alcohol ingestion/withdrawal, cocaine, amphetamines)
- digoxin toxicity
- exacerbation of chronic lung disease
- previous cardiac surgery to correct congenital heart defects
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- ECG
- digoxin level
- theophylline level
- CXR
- electrolytes
- toxicology screen
Investigations to consider
- vagal maneuvers, adenosine
- thyroid-stimulating hormone
- echocardiogram
- ambulatory 24-hour (Holter) ECG or event recorder
- electrophysiologic study (EPS)
Treatment algorithm
Contributors
Authors
Associate Professor
Department of Emergency Medicine
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill
NC
Disclosures
SS declares that she has given lectures regionally and nationally that include paroxysmal atrial tachycardia.
Peer reviewers
Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine
University of Maryland Medical Center
Baltimore
MD
Disclosures
AM declares that he has no competing interests.
Consultant Cardiologist
Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust
Imperial College London
London
UK
Disclosures
VM declares that he has no competing interests.
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