Supraventricular Tachycardia

Question 1

What causes supra ventricular tachycardia?

Answer 1

rapid regular heart beat due to re-entry to the circuit between the atria and ventricles

Question 2

What are the 3 main types and what distinguished these?

Answer 2

1. atrioventricular nodal tachycardia (where the re-entry point is back through the atrioventricular node)
2. atrial tachycardia (electrical signal originates in atria outwith the Sino atrial node)
3. atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia (re-entry point in accessory pathway)

Question 3

What causes Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome and what ECG changes are shown?

Answer 3

caused by an extra electrical pathway connecting the atria and ventricles
short PR interval, wide QRS complex, and delta wave

Question 4

How do you treat Wolff Parkinson White?

Answer 4

radio frequency ablation of the accessory pathway

Question 5

What are the symptoms of supra ventricular tachycardia?

Answer 5

SOB
palpitation
chest pain

Question 6

What are the clinical signs in supra ventricular tachycardia?

Answer 6

tachycardia
hypotensive
cardiac failure signs

Question 7

What investigation is used to diagnose SVT?

Answer 7

electrocardiogram

Question 8

What investigations are carried out on someone with suspected SVT?

Answer 8

ECG
echo
implantable loop recorder
electrophysiology study

Question 9

How do you treat someone with SVT?

Answer 9

steps:
1. vagal manoevres
2. adenosine (CCB used instead in asthmatic patients)
3. verapamil +/- beta blocker
4. synchronised BC cardio version

Question 10

What ECG findings are present in SVT?

Answer 10

regular narrow QRS complexes
abrupt onset
T wave

Question 11

What ECG findings are present in atrial flutter?

Answer 11

saw tooth pattern
2 atrial contractions to 1 ventricle
atrial rate 300bpm