Theophylline can cause a number of different abnormal heart rhythms when in excess, and thus further predisposes COPD patients to MAT. Theophylline toxicity often occurs following acute or chronic overtreatment or factors lowering its clearance from the body.
When theophylline is taken in large amounts, it can lead to different types of abnormal heartbeats, thereby increasing the chance of MAT in COPD patients. Theophylline toxicity frequently arises after either acute or chronic overuse or conditions that reduce its clearance from the body.