Document Type : Original Article

Author

Department of Chemical Engineering, Calgary University, Canada

Abstract

It is a type of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia that appears suddenly following a sinus rhythm and drains suddenly. This rhythm may be caused by the rapid evacuation of an atrial fibrillation at a rate of 160-250 beats per minute, or conduction problems in the AV node, called AV node rotational tachycardia. In this way, an impulse is directed to an area of the AV node that causes the impulse to return repeatedly and rapidly from the same area (they have a shorter excitation phase) and each time the impulse is directed from this area to the ventricular side is also moved, causing a rapid ventricular response. Atrial tachycardia can be detected by three or more irregular atrial beats in a row with a rate of 250-220-250 beats per minute alternating with a normal sinus rhythm. Although PAT is also seen in clients with a healthy heart, it is often an underlying heart disease. Caffeine, nicotine, stress, hypoxemia, extreme fatigue, alcohol consumption, rheumatic heart disease, pulmonary embolism, cardiopulmonary disease, thyrotoxicosis, digitalis intoxication and heart surgery can trigger PAT. PAT reduces ventricular filling time and mean arterial pressure and increases myocardial oxygen demand. Clinical symptoms vary according to the rate and duration of tachycardia and the underlying cause. If the duration of dysrhythmia is short, the patient complains of palpitations and confusion. But if it reduces cardiac output, signs and symptoms such as restlessness, chest pain, shortness of breath, paleness, hypotension and decreased level of consciousness occur.

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