Skip to content
knowrare
HealthSignal
Your condition community

Living with Multifocal atrial tachycardia

A rare fast heart rhythm in newborns and young infants that usually causes no symptoms.

Understanding Multifocal atrial tachycardia

Multifocal atrial tachycardia is a rare heart rhythm problem in newborns and young infants in which the upper heart chambers beat fast in an irregular way.

On a heart tracing, the electrical signals from the upper chambers show several different patterns. It is usually asymptomatic, meaning it often causes no symptoms. Signs are seen in the newborn period or infancy.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Fast heart rate (tachycardia)
  • Atrial flutter
  • Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)
  • Fast heart rate before birth
  • Leaky heart valve between the chambers

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include heart and blood vessel specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
Heart and blood vessel specialists (cardiologists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
How is the heart rhythm monitored over time?
Does my baby need treatment, or can it be watched?
Which signs should prompt me to call the care team?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant

GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition yet.

Also known as: chaotic atrial tachycardia; ectopic atrial tachycardia; mat; multifocal atrial tachycardia (disease)

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Multifocal atrial tachycardiaGARD ID 1235 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Multifocal atrial tachycardia.

Explore the Multifocal atrial tachycardia blog

Explore research for Multifocal atrial tachycardia

Explore actively recruiting Multifocal atrial tachycardia studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Multifocal atrial tachycardia with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper

I can help you find recruiting Multifocal atrial tachycardia studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

Get Signals for Multifocal atrial tachycardia

Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.

HealthStoryfor Multifocal atrial tachycardia

Create a living journal that talks back

HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Multifocal atrial tachycardia experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.

Start your journal

Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.