About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) and Its Diagnosis via EKG
Introduction
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) is a rapid heart rhythm originating above the ventricles, often due to abnormal electrical pathways in the atria or the atrioventricular (AV) node. It can cause palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness.
Understanding the EKG in SVT
Electrocardiography (EKG or ECG) plays a crucial role in diagnosing SVT. Key characteristics on an EKG include:
- Narrow QRS complexes (<120 ms), indicating a supraventricular origin.
- Absent or abnormal P waves, often hidden within the QRS complex.
- Regular rhythm with a rapid rate (typically 150-250 beats per minute).
Types of SVT on EKG:
- Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT): The most common SVT; typically presents with no visible P waves or P waves immediately after the QRS complex.
- Atrioventricular Reentrant Tachycardia (AVRT): Often seen in Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, where an accessory pathway causes early activation of the ventricles.
- Atrial Tachycardia: Characterized by abnormal but visible P waves at a regular rhythm.
Management of SVT
Acute Treatment:
- Vagal maneuvers (e.g., Valsalva maneuver, carotid sinus massage) to slow AV nodal conduction.
- Adenosine (initial drug of choice) for rapid termination of many types of SVT.
- Beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers if adenosine is ineffective.
- Electrical cardioversion in unstable patients (low blood pressure, chest pain, or altered mental status).
Long-Term Management:
- Lifestyle modifications (avoiding caffeine, stress management, and monitoring triggers).
- Medication therapy (beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or antiarrhythmics).
- Catheter ablation, a definitive treatment for recurrent or symptomatic SVT.
Conclusion
SVT is a treatable arrhythmia with a good prognosis when properly diagnosed and managed. An EKG helps differentiate its subtypes and guides treatment approaches. If you experience frequent episodes of SVT, consult a cardiologist for a tailored treatment plan.
Source recommendations
1. 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care
- https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/2020-aha-guidelines-for-cpr-and-ecc
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000918
- https://cpr.heart.org/en/resuscitation-science/cpr-and-ecc-guidelines
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33081530/
- https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/147/Supplement%201/e2020038505E/73495/Part-5-Neonatal-Resuscitation-2020-American-Heart
2. 2021 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the Management of Supraventricular Tachycardia
- https://www.escardio.org/static-file/Escardio/Guidelines/Documents/ehaa612.pdf
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001193
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/5/373/5899003
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Supraventricular-Tachycardia
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000923
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
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