Diagnosis and conventional treatment of supraventricular tachycardia in children
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13112/pc.1085Keywords:
TACHYCARDIA, SUPRAVENTRICULAR; ARRHYTHMIAS, CARDIAC; ANTI-ARRHYTHMIA AGENTS; CHILDAbstract
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is an inappropriately rapid heart rhythm generated above the atrioventricular node. It is one of the most common tachycardias in children. There are several types of SVT, but it most commonly refers to a group of reentrant arrhythmias, such as atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT). Supraventricular tachycardia typically presents as paroxysms, meaning it starts and stops suddenly, with symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain, and pallor. In younger children, symptoms like pallor, restlessness, excessive crying, irritability, and refusal to eat may predominate, often going unnoticed, which can lead to the development of heart failure. The diagnosis is made based on an electrocardiogram (ECG). Treatment of SVT involves acute management and prevention of arrhythmia. Nowadays, SVT in children is successfully treated and has a very low mortality rate.
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