Atrioventricular nodal tachycardia occurring during atrial fibrillation.
We describe the case of a 32-year-old woman with palpitations and atrial fibrillation (AF) as the only documented arrhythmia. The patient underwent electrophysiologic study and was found to have inducible AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT). During a prolonged episode of AVNRT, AF developed in both atria, but AVNRT persisted. Dissociation of the atria during AVNRT is evidence that the atrium is not necessary in AVNRT. This case also illustrates the utility of an electrophysiologic study in locating a potentially curable arrhythmia as the primary cause of AF in young patients.
Harvard-Thorndike Electrophysiology Institute, Cardiovascular Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
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J
Chen
M E
ME
Josephson
D000328:Adult; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D013611:Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013614:Tachycardia, Paroxysmal / Q000503:physiopathology