What is the difference between wpw and svt

Is SVT dangerous? You may require the following initial tests: Blood tests — To determine if there is an underlying condition that has provoked your arrhythmia, such as thyroid or electrolyte disturbances and to check the condition of your liver and kidneys.

Holter monitor — To evaluate your heart rhythm over a 24 h period, and record periods of arrhythmia for analysis.

Echocardiogram — To confirm that the structure and function of your heart is sound. What type of SVT do I have? How is SVT treated? There are 3 main options for people with SVT: No specific treatment. SVT is almost always harmless. For those people having infrequent and short-lived episodes that are not troublesome, one option is to simply live with it. Episodes of SVT can often be terminated using the Valsalva manoeuvre: 1 take a deep breath in and hold it, 2 hold your abdomen rigid, 3 use your hands to press against your abdomen as hard and long as you can.

This may result in brief dizziness and is best performed while lying down or seated in an armchair. For people who do not wish to continue having episodes, a second option is to take regular daily medication. There are a variety of different possible medications. Medications reduce the frequency and severity of episodes but do not cure the problem. There is also the possibility of developing side effects from these drugs, which at times may be worse than the SVT symptoms themselves.

Catheter ablation. This is a safe and minimally invasive procedure that cures SVT. Did you know the most common forms of heart disease are largely preventable? Our guide will show you what puts you at risk, and how to take control of your heart health. Helton M. Diagnosis and management of common types of supraventricular tachycardia. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: A stepwise deterioration to sudden death.

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Related Articles. Overview of Tachycardias and Fast Heart Rhythms. However, it conducts in a retrograde direction and thus can participate in reentrant tachycardia.

In the most common form of reentrant tachycardia called orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia , the circuit uses the normal atrioventricular AV conduction pathway to activate the ventricles, returning to the atrium via the accessory AV connection. The resultant QRS complex is thus narrow unless bundle branch block Bundle Branch Block and Fascicular Block Bundle branch block is partial or complete interruption of impulse conduction in a bundle branch; fascicular block is similar interruption in a hemifascicle of the bundle.

The 2 disorders often Orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia is typically a short RP tachycardia with the retrograde P wave in the ST segment. Rarely, the reentrant circuit revolves in the opposite direction, from the atrium to the ventricle via the accessory AV connection, and returns from the ventricle in the retrograde direction up the normal AV conduction system called antidromic reciprocating tachycardia. The QRS complex is wide because the ventricles are activated abnormally.

In patients with 2 accessory AV connections not uncommon , a reciprocating tachycardia using one accessory connection in the antegrade direction and the other in the retrograde direction may occur. If atrial fibrillation, develops this is a medical emergency as very rapid ventricular rates can develop Enlarged atria due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a congenital or acquired disorder characterized by marked ventricular hypertrophy with diastolic dysfunction but without increased afterload eg, due to valvular Most patients present during young adulthood or middle age.

They typically have episodes of sudden-onset, sudden-offset, rapid, regular palpitations often associated with symptoms of hemodynamic compromise eg, dyspnea, chest discomfort, light-headedness. Infants present with episodic breathlessness, lethargy, feeding problems, or rapid precordial pulsations. Among birth defects, congenital heart disease is the leading cause of infant mortality Previous tracings, if available, are reviewed for signs of manifest WPW syndrome.

P waves vary. QRS complex is narrow except with coexisting bundle branch block, antidromic tachycardia, or dual accessory connection reciprocating tachycardia. Wide-complex tachycardia must be distinguished from ventricular tachycardia see table Indications for Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators Indications for Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators in Ventricular Tachycardia and Ventricular Fibrillation The need for treatment of arrhythmias depends on the symptoms and the seriousness of the arrhythmia.

Treatment is directed at causes. If necessary, direct antiarrhythmic therapy, including antiarrhythmic Although most supraventricular tachycardias have a narrow QRS complex, some have a wide QRS complex and must be distinguished from ventricular tachycardia.

Activation is as follows: atrioventricular node, His-Purkinje system, ventricle, accessory pathway, atria. Verapamil or diltiazem if narrow QRS complex. Vagotonic maneuvers eg, Valsalva maneuver, unilateral carotid sinus massage, ice water facial immersion, swallowing of ice-cold water , particularly if used early, may terminate the tachyarrhythmia; some patients use these maneuvers at home. AV node blockers are used if vagotonic maneuvers are ineffective and the QRS complex is narrow indicating orthodromic conduction ; blocking conduction through the AV node for one beat interrupts the reentrant cycle.

Adenosine is the first choice. Dose is 6 mg by rapid IV bolus 0. If this dosage is ineffective, 2 subsequent mg doses are given every 5 minutes. Adenosine sometimes causes a brief 2- to 3-second period of cardiac standstill, which may distress patient and physician.