Silence Is Golden

Speech-Induced Atrial Tachycardia

Abstract

Speech-induced atrial tachycardia (AT) is extremely rare. We presented a case of focal AT that could be triggered by speech and terminated with the cessation of conversation. An electrophysiological study showed that the outbreak was associated with left atrial pressure rose. Radiofrequency ablation at the left atrial posterior-superior wall (earliest activation site) resulted in the immediate termination of AT. These electrophysiological characteristics indicated that the cardiac autonomic nervous system and/or left atrial pressure might play essential roles in the occurrences of speech-induced AT.