An unusual focal atrial tachycardia that simulates a common node reentrant tachycardia: A case report

Abstract

Focal atrial tachycardia is a relatively uncommon paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Although atrioventricular conduction is regularly 1:1 and the PR interval is often in the normal range, occasionally a 1:1 atrial tachycardia may have a short RP interval, especially when the heart rate is particularly high or the atrioventricular conduction is markedly increased. In these cases, it is necessary to differentiate focal atrial tachycardia from common atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia , which is the most frequent form of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. We describe a case of unusual focal atrial tachycardia with a short RP interval (< 90 ms) in a patient with a marked AV first-degree block which simulates a typical atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.