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Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)

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What is supraventricular tachycardia?

Supraventricular tachycardia refers to a heart condition which has episodes of abnormally fast heart rhythms. These are caused by abnormal electrical impulses, which originate in the areas of the heart above the ventricles. Supraventricular tachycardia can occur in healthy young children as well as people with underlying heart disease.

The heart

Your heart has two ventricles - the left and right - that work to pump blood around the body. Above the ventricles are two more chambers called the left and right atriums (known collectively as the atria). Inside the right atrium is the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is the heart's natural pacemaker. The SA node starts every heartbeat by creating an electrical impulse. An area between the atria and ventricles - the atrioventricular (AV) node - is responsible for controlling the rate of electrical impulses that reach the ventricles. The synchronized electrical impulses that travel through the heart are responsible for the coordinated contraction of the heart muscles.

The electrical system of the heart. 

Causes

Supraventricular tachycardia is caused by abnormal pathways within the electrical system of the heart. These pathways may be present from birth, or result from heart damage. They can predispose to rapid electrical impulses being generated within the atria, which then cause the rapid contraction of the atrial muscles. The atrioventricular node usually prevents these rapid electrical impulses from causing rapid contraction of ventricles, which is a potentially fatal condition.

Cross-section of a heart with atrial tachycardia. 

Supraventricular tachycardia refers to a broad range of rhythms that cause the rapid contraction of the atria. Consensus varies on the exact individual rhythms that are broadly classified as supraventricular tachycardia. Mostly commonly, supraventricular tachycardia refers to a specific set of rhythms that occur in episodes of varying duration and frequency, rather than rhythms that persist. Your doctor will be able to explain in more detail which rhythm you specifically have and its implication in terms of treatment.

Risk factors

Any condition that strains or damages your heart can increase the risk of supraventricular tachycardia. These may include:

Signs and symptoms

The common signs and symptoms of supraventricular tachycardia include:

Methods for diagnosis

To detect and diagnose supraventricular tachycardia, the following tests may be used:

Electrocardiography

During electrocardiography (ECG), electrodes are attached to your chest while you lie on your back. These record your heart's electrical activity and can be used to determine if there are any abnormalities in your heart's rhythm. To see how your heart responds to stress, an electrocardiogram can be performed while you jog on a treadmill or in response to certain medications.

An electrocardiography procedure. 

Blood tests

Your doctor will probably arrange for you to have a blood test, particularly looking at the salts in your blood, your kidney function and thyroid function. Abnormalities in these tests can identify underlying conditions that may trigger supraventricular tachycardia.

Holter monitor

A Holter monitor is a device that is able to record the electrical activity and heart rate over time (e.g., 24 hours). It is worn under your clothing and stays attached while you sleep. This is used if supraventricular tachycardia is suspected but episodes do not last long enough to get to your doctor and be captured by an ECG.

Event recorder

This device is similar to a Holter monitor, but only transmits signals when you are experiencing symptoms. An event recorder may be worn for up to a month and is useful in diagnosing rhythm disturbances that occur at unpredictable times.

Electrophysiological test

An electrophysiological test is used to confirm the diagnosis of tachycardia, or to pinpoint the location of problems in your heart's circuitry.

This test is performed as part of an angiogram. This involves inserting thin flexible tubes (called catheters) which have electrodes on their tips through the groin, arm or neck, through blood vessels to various places in your heart. During each heartbeat, these electrodes map the spread of electrical impulses and identify any abnormalities in the heart's electrical circuitry. If abnormalities are found, these may be treated at the same time using catheter ablation (see below). This procedure can be performed under local anesthesia with light sedation, or general anesthesia.

Types of treatment

Immediate treatment

The immediate aims of treating supraventricular tachycardia are to slow the heart rate and return it back to its normal rhythm. This can be achieved by:

Slowing a fast heart rate

Vagal maneuver

During an episode of supraventricular tachycardia, your doctor may ask you to perform a vagal maneuver. These actions affect the vagus nerve in your neck, the nerve that helps to regulate your heartbeat. These can include:

Medications

If vagal maneuvers does not work, medications may be used to restore your heart's normal rate. These medications, called antiarrhythmics, are generally given by injection and administered at a hospital. Your doctor may also prescribe ongoing medications in tablet form.

Electrical cardioversion

Electrical cardioversion is a technique used to restore the heart's rhythm using electric shock therapy. While under sedation, the heart's electrical system can be safely reset by a controlled electric shock to your chest. To help the heart to work normally after the treatment, medication may be needed over the long-term.

Preventing further episodes

Ongoing treatment may not be necessary if episodes are infrequent, unproblematic and easily controlled with vagal maneuvers. However, treatments are available to prevent further episodes of supraventricular tachycardia for individuals who:

These treatments include:

Medications

When taken regularly, anti-arrhythmic medications may prevent a fast heart rate.

Catheter ablation

This procedure aims to destroy the area of abnormal circuitry in heart tissue that is causing supraventricular tachycardia. It is often performed after an electrophysiological study has clearly identified an abnormal area. Radio waves are then used to carefully burn this area. This procedure is most commonly recommended for individuals, and offers the possibility of a cure. However, a potential risk is that treatment may lead to heart block, where sufficient electrical impulses do not reach the ventricles, leading to reduced cardiac activity. This can cause dizziness and/or blackouts. A pacemaker, which is a small device implanted into the chest, may need to be implanted to help the heart regain its normal rhythm.

Surgery

Very rarely, open heart surgery may be used to destroy the extra electrical pathway causing the tachycardia. One method is known as a maze operation and is used to 'trap' the source of your tachycardia using a similar procedure to catheter ablation. When performed, it is often combined with other procedures for related heart conditions.

Potential complications

Supraventricular tachycardia can vary in severity. This depends on the rate and duration of a rapid heart rate and whether you have other heart conditions. Some possible complications may include:

Prognosis

In some cases, supraventricular tachycardia may be cured with treatment. In other cases, it can be managed with vagal maneuvers and medication.

Prevention

The following strategies can help reduce the frequency of supraventricular tachycardia episodes:

References

  1. Heart arrhythmias and palpitations. Better Health Channel. Accessed 10 July 2014 from link here
  2. Medi C. Kalman J.M. & Freedman S.B. (2009). Supraventricular tachycardia. Medical Journal of Australia 190. Accessed from link here
  3. Tachycardia Causes - Diseases and Conditions - Mayo Clinic. Accessed 10 July 2014 from link here
  4. Whinnett Z.I. Sohaib S.M.A. & Davies D.W. (2012). Diagnosis and management of supraventricular tachycardia. BMJ 345: e7769e7769.

9 Most frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is supraventricular tachycardia?
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) refers to a heart condition which has episodes of abnormally fast heart rhythms. These are caused by abnormal electrical impulses, which originate in the areas of the heart above the ventricles.
What are the symptoms of supraventricular tachycardia?
The common signs and symptoms of supraventricular tachycardia include palpitations, chest discomfort, anxiety, light-headedness, pounding in the neck, and short breath.
What causes supraventricular tachycardia?
Supraventricular tachycardia is caused by abnormal pathways within the electrical system of the heart. These pathways may be present from birth, or result from heart damage.
Who can get supraventricular tachycardia?
Supraventricular tachycardia can affect anyone, but you are at higher risk if you are born with a heart defect or have an underlying heart condition. Conditions that strain or damage the heart can increase the risk of supraventricular tachycardia. These may include heart disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), smoking, heavy alcohol or caffeine use, recreational drugs, thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism), and anemia.
How is supraventricular tachycardia diagnosed?
Supraventricular tachycardia is diagnosed by tests that can monitor the electrical system of the heart. These include: electrocardiography (ECG) - which evaluates the rhythm of the heart and its response to stress; a Holter monitor - measures the electrical activity and heart rate over a specific length of time; an event monitor - records only an irregular heart rhythm or activity, and; an electrophysiological test - used to pinpoint the location of the heart's problems.
How is supraventricular tachycardia treated?
During an episode of supraventricular tachycardia, immediate treatment is aimed at returning the heart to its normal rhythm. This can be achieved by vagal maneuvers (such as massaging the carotid sinus in your neck, applying cold packs to the face and neck, or forcibly breathing out against a closed mouth and nose), anti-arrhythmic medications and/or electrical cardioversion, which uses a small electric shock. To prevent further episodes of supraventricular tachycardia, catheter ablation or regular doses of anti-arrhythmic medications are commonly recommended.
Can supraventricular tachycardia be cured?
In some cases, supraventricular tachycardia can be cured, particularly if treated using catheter ablation.
Is supraventricular tachycardia serious?
Supraventricular tachycardia can vary in severity. This depends on the rate and duration of a rapid heart rate and whether you have other heart conditions. Some possible complications may include: the formation of blood clots that can cause a stroke or heart attack; the inability of your heart to pump enough blood (heart failure), and; sudden death - some of the less common forms of supraventricular tachycardia can transform into very unstable heart rhythms.
What can be done to reduce the risk of supraventricular tachycardia?
The following strategies can help reduce the frequency of supraventricular tachycardia episodes: a healthy diet; exercising and keeping a healthy body weight; quitting smoking; limiting alcohol and caffeine; controlling stress, and; keeping your blood pressure low.

Related topics

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About this article

Title: Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)

Author: Dr Bow Tauro PhD, BSc (Hons)

First Published: 18 Sep 2014

Last reviewed: 17 Jan 2022

Category: Information on Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)

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