Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia

Amara H. Estrada, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology), University of Florida

ArticleSeptember 20141 min read

A few normal beats are initially auscultated in this recording, followed by a very rapid increase in rate and a very rapid run of tachycardia. 

It is impossible to distinguish atrial versus ventricular tachycardia based on auscultation alone; an ECG helps develop a definitive diagnosis. Auscultation does, however, suggest presence of either an atrial or ventricular tachyarrhythmia.