Supraventricular Tachycardia

Question 1

what is supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)?

Answer 1

narrow complex tachycardia characterised by a heart rate of >100bpm and a QRS of <120ms on ECG

Question 2

name some examples of SVT

Answer 2

• AF
• AV re-entry tachycardia
• AV ndoal re-entry tachycarida

Question 3

what should you give SVT patients with adverse features?

Answer 3

synchronised DC shock

Question 4

what are the adverse features of SVT?

HISS

Answer 4

• heart failure
• ischaemia
• shock
• syncope

Question 5

what is the management of stable, regular SVT?

Answer 5

1. vagal manoeuvres
2. IV adenosine 6mg
3. IV adenosine 12mg
4. IV adenosine 12mg

Question 6

how does adenosine work?

Answer 6

blocks conduction through the AV node

Question 7

what should you warn patients about before giving adenosine?

Answer 7

• difficulty breathing
• chest tightness
• flushing

patients feel like they are dying

Question 8

how are irregular SVTs managed?

Answer 8

managed as AF

Question 9

what are contraindications to adenosine?

Answer 9

• central line
• medications which increase affect - e.g. dipyridamole, carbamazepine
• asthma

Question 10

what medication is used in asthma patients with SVT?

Answer 10

verapamil

Question 11

what are the complications fo SVT?

Answer 11

• syncope
• deep vein thrombosis
• embolism
• cardiac tamponade
• congestive cardiac failure
• myocardial infarction
• death