A 43-year-old member asked:
What are the differences between supraventricular tachycardia and multifocal atrial tachycardia?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Calvin Weisbergeranswered
52 years experience
SVT and MAT: Mat is a kind of svt. Usually mat implies significant cardiac or pulmonary pathology. Svt can happen in less abnormal hearts.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 45-year-old member asked:
How can you distinguish between supraventricular tachycardia and multifocal atrial tachycardia?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Warren Fosteranswered
Cardiac Electrophysiology 21 years experience
EKG: Usually, an expert will be able to tell the difference in these two arrhythmias with a 12-lead EKG. Specifically, the shape of the "p-waves" will vary in multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT), whereas most other SVT's will have only one shape. MAT characteristically occurs in the setting of hypoxia (i.e. low oxygen availability), which is another clue. An invasive EP study is rarely needed.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated May 10, 2016
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $39!
50% off with $15/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.