Cited by 90Cardiac Arrhythmias and TreatmentsCardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmiasCardiovascular Effects of Exercise

Prevalence and natural course of ectopic atrial tachycardia

Poutiainen, A·1999·European Heart Journal

Abstract

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to calculate the prevalence of ectopic atrial tachycardia in a population of young asymptomatic males and to assess its natural course both in asymptomatic subjects and in symptomatic hospital patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECG) of 3554 consecutive males applying for a pilot's licence were analysed. ECGs of symptomatic arrhythmia patients at two university hospitals were also analysed. A repeat ECG was taken in cases of ectopic atrial tachycardia to assess the natural course of this arrhythmia. Twelve out of 3554 asymptomatic subjects (prevalence 0.34%) and 17 out of 3700 symptomatic arrhythmia patients (prevalence 0.46%) had ECG evidence of ectopic atrial tachycardia. A repeat ECG was obtained after a mean follow-up of 8+/-3 years in asymptomatic subjects and 7+/-3 years in symptomatic patients. After the follow-up, seven (26%) out of 27 patients were still in a similar ectopic atrial rhythm, 10 (37%) showed a change in P wave morphology and 10 (37%) were in sinus rhythm. Heart rate was significantly slower (mean rate 81+/-19 vs 109+/-17 beats. min-1) in the repeat ECGs. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic ectopic atrial tachycardia is not an uncommon finding in a population of young males. The majority of patients show slowing of heart rate in the course of time, either with restoration of sinus rhythm or with a change in P wave morphology, suggesting that the ectopic foci undergo gradual degeneration with time.

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Crossref · 10.1053/euhj.1998.1313

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  1. Gillette PC, Smith RT, Carson Jr A et al. Chronic supra- ventricular tachycardia: a curable cause of congestive cardio- myopathy. JAMA 1985; 253: 391-2.
  2. Keane JF, Plauth WH, Nadas AS. Chronic ectopic tachy- cardia of infancy and childhood. Am Heart J 1972; 84: 748-57.
  3. Gallavardin L. Extrasystolia auriculaire a paroxysmes tachycardiques. Arch Mal Coeur 1922; 15: 774-7.
  4. Sorbo MD, Buja GF, Miorelli M et al. Prevalenza della sindrome di Wolff-Parkinson-White in una populazione di 116 452 giovani maschi. Giornale Italiano di Cardiologia 1995; 25: 681-7.
  5. Gillette PC, Garson A. Electrophysiological and pharmaco- logic characteristics of automatic ectopic atrial tachycardia. Circulation 1977; 56: 571-5.

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Authors
Poutiainen, A.
Affiliations
University of Oulu (FI)
Corresponding author
Poutiainen, A
Venue
European Heart Journal
Published
1999-05
Volume
20
Issue
9
Pages
694-700
ISSN
0195-668X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2113696212
Cited by
90
References
17
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 5
FWCI
0.49
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • European Heart Journal (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiac Arrhythmias and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiovascular Effects of Exercise
Keywords
ectopic atrial tachycardia, prevalence, natural course, asymptomatic arrhythmia, young men, P wave morphology, sinus rhythm restoration, heart rate reduction
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Child, Electrocardiography, Female, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Male, Middle Aged, Retrospective Studies, Tachycardia, Ectopic Atrial, Prevalence, Disease Progression

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