Multifocal atrial tachycardia is most commonly associated with which condition?

• A. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• B. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• C. Hyperthyroidism
• D. Renal failure

Answer: (A)

Multifocal atrial tachycardia is a tachyarrhythmia that arises from multiple ectopic atrial pacemaker sites, producing at least three distinct P-wave morphologies on the ECG with an irregular rhythm. It is most strongly linked to chronic lung disease, especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and often occurs during acute COPD exacerbations when hypoxemia and right atrial strain promote multiple atrial foci.

Hyperthyroidism can cause atrial tachyarrhythmias, but the most characteristic association for multifocal atrial tachycardia is COPD. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and renal failure can involve arrhythmias, but they are not the classic conditions linked to MAT.