Mechanisms and clinical manifestations of supraventricular tachycardias

Abstract

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is used as a general label for a variety of fast heart rhythms originating in any part of the conduction system above the ventricles. Supraventricular tachycardia encompasses subclasses of tachycardias such as: atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT), atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT), atrial tachycardia, and atrial flutter. Nurses may encounter patients with these common types of dysrhythmias in inpatient or outpatient settings. Supraventricular tachycardia causes numerous symptoms which may make life difficult for these patients. This article reviews the mechanisms, prevalence, clinical manifestations, and treatment options for each of the major types of supraventricular tachycardia. Radiofrequency ablation has currently made the treatment options more optimistic for these patients than in past years. Further research needs to be done on if, or how, these patients' symptoms and quality of life change after ablation.