Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia is associated with an ectopic pacing focus in the atrial myocardium. It may be precipitated by a variety of stimuli.
Cardiac disease:
(1) cardiomyopathy (including alcoholic)
(2) ischemic heart disease
(3) rheumatic heart disease
(4) sick sinus syndrome
(5) digoxin toxicity
(6) Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Other conditions:
(1) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
(2) thyrotoxicosis
It also may occur in persons without identifiable underlying pathology (idiopathic), especially in the elderly.
