Supraventricular Tachycardia Flashcards
What is the cause of Supraventricular Tachycardia? (3 steps)
- Electrical signal re-enters atria from ventricles
- Electrical signal goes thru AV node –> another ventricular contraction
- Loop of more n more ventricular contractions
What are the 3 types of SVT?
- AtrioVentricular NODAL Re-entrant Tachycardia
- AtrioVentricular Re-entrant Tachycardia
- Atrial Tachycardia
What is AtrioVentricular NODAL Re-entrant Tachycardia SVT?
When electrical signal re-enters via AV Node
What is AtrioVentricular Re-entrant Tachycardia SVT?
When electrical signal re-enters via Accessory pathway (Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome)
What is Atrial Tachycardia SVT?
When there is ECTOPIC electrical signals (don’t originate in SA Node)
What are the ECG changes seen in Supraventricular Tachycardia? (4 things)
- Hidden P wave
- Narrow QRS complex
- Regular rhythm (unlike AF)
- Tachycardia obv
What are the clinical features of Supraventricular Tachycardia? (5 things)
- Syncope
- Sweating
- SOB
- Chest pain
- Palpitations
What are the management options for Supraventricular Tachycardia? (4 things) (in order)
- Valsalva Manoeuvre
- Carotid Sinus Massage
- Adenosine (antiarrhythmic) / Verapamil (calcium channel blocker) (alternative to adenosine)
- Cardioversion (if all above fails)
What is the Valsalva Manoeuvre?
Ask pt to blow hard against resistance (e.g into plastic syringe)
How does Adenosine work?
Interrupts AV node / accessory pathway –> resets heart bk to Normal Sinus Rhythm
What is scary about Adenosine?
Causes a period of asystole / bradycardia (feeling of dying / impending doom)
What are the CONTRAindications of Adenosine? (5 things)
- Asthma / COPD
- HF / Heart Block
- Severe HTN
What are the long term management options of Paroxysmal SVT (recurrent episodes)? (2 things)
- Medication
- Radiofrequency ablation
What are the MEDICAL long term management options for Paroxysmal SVT (recurrent episodes)? (3 things)
- Beta blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- Amiodarone
What is Radiofrequency ablation?
Burns / scars part of heart to stop electrical signals from passing thru it
What type of SVT is Wolff-Parkinson White Syndrome?
AtrioVentricular Re-entrant Tachycardia SVT?
What is the cause of Wolff-Parkinson White Syndrome?
An extra electrical pathway connecting atria + ventricles called Bundle of Kent
What are the ECG changes seen in Wolff-Parkinson White Syndrome (SVT)? (3 things)
- Short PR interval
- Delta wave (curved upstroke on start of QRS complex instead of right angle)
- Wide QRS complex
What is the definitive treatment for Wolff-Parkinson White Syndrome?
Radiofrequency ablation of the accessory pathway (Bundle of Kent)
