Could tachycardia be caused by diabetes?
Yes, Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia Background: Multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT) is an arrhythmia with an irregular atrial rate greater than 100 beats per minute (bpm). Atrial activity is well organized, with at least 3 morphologically distinct P waves, irregular P-P intervals, and an isoelectric baseline between the P waves. Shine et al first proposed this definition in 1968. MAT has previously been described by names such as chaotic atrial rhythm or tachycardia, chaotic atrial mechanism, and repetitive paroxysmal MAT. Pathophysiology: The mechanism of the arrhythmia has not been well defined. Delayed afterdepolarizations leading to triggered automaticity are postulated to result in the development of MAT. The evidence that links this mechanism is mainly indirect and points to intracellular calcium overload by various mechanisms (eg, catecholamine excess, phosphodiesterase inhibition, acidosis, hypoxemia). Electrolyte imbalances associated with severe underlying illnesses can furthe
