title: Atrial tachycardia mimicking atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The term supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is used to describe tachydysrhythmias that require atrial or atrioventricular nodal tissue for their initiation and maintenance. SVT can be used to describe atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia, atrioventricular reentry tachycardia, and atrial tachycardia (AT). AT is the least common of these SVT subtypes, accounting for only 10% of cases. Although the suggested initial management of each SVT subtype is different, they all can present with similar symptoms and electrocardiographic findings.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Discuss the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of AT as compared with other types of SVT.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a 56-year-old woman with symptoms and electrocardiographic findings consistent with SVT. Although standard treatment with intravenous adenosine failed to convert the SVT, it revealed AT as the cause of the tachydysrhythmia. The AT was successfully terminated with beta-blockade and the patient eventually underwent successful radioablation of three separate AT foci.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AT frequently mimics other more common forms of SVT. AT might be recognized only when standard treatment of SVT has failed. Identification of AT in this setting is crucial to allow for more definitive therapy.
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Illinois Hospital and University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA.
authors: Wesley P
authors: WP
authors: Eilbert
authors: Neal
authors: N
authors: Patel
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013611:Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013612:Tachycardia, Ectopic Atrial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000241:Adenosine