Focal Atrial Tachycardia (FAT)

Definition

Focal atrial tachycardia (FAT) is a form of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) originating from a single ectopic focus within the atria but outside of the sinus node

Focal atrial tachycardia (FAT): Consistent, abnormal P wave morphology indicating an ectopic focus
  • The term FAT is commonly used synonymously with atrial tachycardia, a broader term referring to any form of SVT originating within the atria but outside of the sinus node
  • FAT, atrial flutter and multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT) are all forms of atrial tachycardia
  • Management of the three types varies and thus distinguishing between them is clinically important
Pathophysiology of FAT
  • Due to a single ectopic focus
  • The underlying mechanism can involve increased automaticity, triggered activity or reentry
  • May be paroxysmal or sustained
  • Multiple causes including:
    • Digoxin toxicity
    • Atrial scarring due to ischaemic heart disease
    • Catecholamine excess
    • Stimulants including cocaine, caffeine
    • Alcohol
    • Congenital abnormalities
    • Idiopathic
  • Sustained atrial tachycardia may rarely be seen and can progress to tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy
ECG Features of Atrial Tachycardia
  • Atrial rate > 100 bpm
  • Abnormal P wave morphology and axis (e.g. inverted in inferior leads) due to ectopic origin
  • Unifocal, identical P waves
  • Isoelectric baseline (unlike atrial flutter)
  • Normal QRS morphology (unless pre-existing bundle branch block, accessory pathway, or rate-related aberrant conduction)

AV block may be present — this is generally a physiological response to the rapid atrial rate, except in digoxin toxicity where there is AV nodal suppression due to vagotonic effects of digoxin, resulting in a slow ventricular rate (“PAT with block”).

ECG Examples
Example 1
ECG Ectopic atrial tachycardia inverted p waves

Focal atrial tachycardia:

  • There is a narrow complex tachycardia at 120 bpm
  • Each QRS complex is preceded by an abnormal P wave — upright in V1, inverted in the inferior leads II, III and aVF
  • P wave morphology is consistent throughout
Example 2
ECG Ectopic atrial tachycardia inverted p waves 2

Focal atrial tachycardia:

  • There is a narrow complex tachycardia at 95 bpm
  • Each QRS complex is preceded by an abnormal P wave — biphasic in V1; inverted in the inferior leads II, III and aVF; and inverted V3-V6
  • P wave morphology is consistent throughout
Related Topics
References
Advanced Reading

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Textbooks

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ECG LIBRARY

Emergency Physician in Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine in Sydney, Australia. He has a passion for ECG interpretation and medical education | ECG Library |

Adult/Paediatric Emergency Medicine Advanced Trainee in Melbourne, Australia. Special interests in diagnostic and procedural ultrasound, medical education, and ECG interpretation. Co-creator of the LITFL ECG Library. Twitter: @rob_buttner

4 Comments

  1. “Both atrial flutter and multifocal atrial tachycardia are specific types of atrial tachycardia.” – is this correct?
    If you’re using the term atrial tachycardia as synonymous with ectopic atrial tachycardia or focal atrial tachycardia then I don’t think this is right as atrial flutter is a distinct and separate entity.

    • Hi Luke,

      Thank you for your comment. Atrial tachycardia is a broader term referring to any SVT initiated outside of the sinus node, and comprises FAT, MAT and atrial flutter. Atrial flutter is a separate entity to FAT but they are both forms of atrial tachycardia.

      I hope this helps.

      Rob

  2. Hello there

    I’m just curious as to why example 2 is considered tachycardia if the rate is 95.

    My thoughts are with the rate, inverted P waves, and borderline prolonged QRS that this would be considered an accelerated junctional rhythm. If the impulse originated from the AV nodal area it would have to travel back up the atria (causing the inverted P wave in lead II) and it would also have a prolonged or borderline prolonged QRS.

    -Narrow complex rhythm; QRS duration < 120ms (unless pre-existing bundle branch block or rate-related aberrant conduction)
    -Ventricular rate usually 60 – 100 bpm
    -Retrograde P waves may be present and can appear before, during or after the QRS complex
    -Retrograde P waves are usually inverted in the inferior leads (II, III, aVF), upright in aVR + V1.
    (https://litfl.com/accelerated-junctional-rhythm-ajr/)

    I look forward to your response.

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