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 Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)
Introduction
Tachycardia refers to a heart rate that is faster than normal, typically above 100 beats per minute. Both supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) are forms of tachycardia but originate in different parts of the heart and have different clinical implications.
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
Definition
SVT is a rapid heart rhythm that originates above the ventricles, usually in the atria or the atrioventricular (AV) node.
Causes
- Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT)
- Atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT) (e.g., Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome)
- Atrial tachycardia
Symptoms
- Palpitations
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest discomfort
Treatment
- Vagal maneuvers (e.g., Valsalva maneuver)
- Adenosine (for acute termination)
- Beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers (for prevention)
- Catheter ablation (in refractory cases)
Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)
Definition
VT is a rapid and potentially life-threatening rhythm that originates in the ventricles.
Causes
- Coronary artery disease (e.g., post-myocardial infarction scar tissue)
- Cardiomyopathy
- Electrolyte imbalances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia)
- Drug toxicity (e.g., digitalis, antiarrhythmics)
Symptoms
- Palpitations
- Syncope (fainting)
- Hypotension
- Cardiac arrest (in severe cases)
Treatment
- If stable: Antiarrhythmics (e.g., amiodarone, lidocaine)
- If unstable: Electrical cardioversion
- Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for recurrent VT
- Treatment of underlying cause (e.g., ischemic heart disease management)
Key Differences Between SVT and VT
| Feature | SVT | VT |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Atria or AV node | Ventricles |
| Rate | Typically 150-250 bpm | Typically >150 bpm |
| QRS Complex | Narrow (<120 ms) | Wide (>120 ms) |
| Stability | Usually stable | Can be unstable/life-threatening |
Conclusion
SVT is generally benign and manageable, while VT is potentially dangerous and requires urgent intervention. If you experience palpitations or symptoms suggestive of tachycardia, medical evaluation is essential to determine the type and appropriate treatment.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Supraventricular Tachycardia
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000311
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/about-arrhythmia/tachycardia--fast-heart-rate
- https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/-/media/028ddd505f514ea2b3a4e74bb72e3557.ashx
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26399662/
- https://www.escardio.org/static-file/Escardio/Subspecialty/EACPR/Education/Test%20your%20knowledge/guidelines-sva-es.pdf
2. European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines for the Management of Supraventricular Tachycardia
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Supraventricular-Tachycardia
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/41/5/655/5556821
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31504425/
- https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2019/09/10/12/36/2019-ESC-Guidelines-for-Supraventricular-Tachycardia
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.cir.0000091380.04100.84
3. American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines for Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000549
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29097320/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000548
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405500X22010945
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29084733/
4. European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Ventricular Arrhythmias
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Ventricular-Arrhythmias-and-the-Prevention-of-Sudden-Cardiac-Death
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/43/40/3997/6675633
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36017572/
- https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2022/09/02/14/23/2022-ESC-Guidelines-for-VAs-ESC-2022
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26320108/
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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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