What are the characteristics and causes of atrial tachycardia as described in the chapter on cardiac arrhythmias?

Atrial tachycardia is characterized by an atrial rate between 150 and 200 beats per minute. It can result from enhanced automaticity, abnormal automaticity, triggered activity, or reentry mechanisms. Common causes include coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, cor pulmonale, and digitalis intoxication.

Atrial tachycardia is a type of supraventricular arrhythmia where the atrial rate is elevated, typically between 150 and 200 beats per minute. This condition can arise from various mechanisms such as enhanced normal automaticity, abnormal automaticity, triggered activity, or reentry phenomena. It is often associated with underlying conditions like coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, cor pulmonale, and can also be induced by digitalis intoxication, highlighting the importance of identifying these underlying causes in affected patients.