12 Questions
What term is used to describe the wide QRS complex during supraventricular tachycardia that must be distinguished from ventricular tachycardia?
Conduction block
What intervention may be required for sustained supraventricular tachycardia?
Cardioversion
Which condition refers to episodes of sudden onset and termination in supraventricular tachycardia?
Paroxysmal tachycardia
What symptoms may be experienced in supraventricular arrhythmias?
Diminished exertional capacity
In what condition might a supraventricular arrhythmia precipitate cardiac arrest?
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
What family of tachycardias does Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) refer to?
AV node reentry, AV reentry using an accessory pathway, and atrial tachycardia
During supraventricular tachycardia, a wide QRS complex can be caused by activation of the ventricles from an accessory pathway.
True
PSVT episodes are always sustained and require immediate intervention like cardioversion or drug administration.
False
Symptoms of supraventricular arrhythmias are consistent among all individuals regardless of associated heart disease or comorbidities.
False
Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) only refers to AV node reentry.
False
Diminished exertional capacity is not a symptom commonly associated with supraventricular arrhythmias.
False
Supraventricular arrhythmias never precipitate cardiac arrest in patients with severe heart disease.
False
Study Notes
Supraventricular Tachycardia
- Conduction block in the left or right bundle branch or activation of the ventricles from an accessory pathway produces a wide QRS complex during supraventricular tachycardia, which must be distinguished from ventricular tachycardia.
Characteristics
- Supraventricular tachycardia can be of brief duration (nonsustained) or sustained, requiring intervention for termination.
- Episodes with sudden onset and termination are referred to as paroxysmal.
- Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) includes AV node reentry, AV reentry using an accessory pathway, and atrial tachycardia.
Symptoms
- Symptoms of supraventricular arrhythmia vary depending on the rate, duration, associated heart disease, and comorbidities.
- Common symptoms include palpitations, chest pain, dyspnea, diminished exertional capacity, and occasionally syncope.
- Rarely, a supraventricular arrhythmia can precipitate cardiac arrest in patients with the Wol-Parkinson-White syndrome or severe heart disease, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Learn about the characteristics and management of supraventricular tachycardia, including distinguishing it from ventricular tachycardia, differentiating between sustained and nonsustained episodes, and possible interventions.
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