Temperature-sensitive focal atrial tachycardia in the left atrium.
Temperature sensitivity has not been reported in focal atrial tachycardia. We describe a patient with a left atrial tachycardia whose tachycardia rate was affected by hot and cold drinks. The effects were still evident after autonomic blockade. The arrhythmia focus was located at the entrance of the left upper pulmonary vein. Radiofrequency ablation was carried out, which proved to be difficult, but it was successful after several applications of energy, suggesting an epicardial location of the arrhythmia focus. Sensitivity of atrial tachycardia rate to the temperature of food or drink ingested suggests a left atrial focus with a posterior and possibly epicardial location.
Ng
G A
GA
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom. G.A.Ng@bham.ac.uk
Lau
E W
EW
Griffith
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D001628:Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005502:Food / Q000009:adverse effects; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011667:Pulmonary Veins; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D013612:Tachycardia, Ectopic Atrial / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D013697:Thermosensing / Q000502:physiology*