Antiarrhythmic drug administration

Hypoxia Ischaemia

Atrial fibrillation Electrical shock administered during

cardioversion Electrical shock caused by accidental

contact with improperly grounded equipment

TachycardiaPresented By Johnny J.

What is Supraventricular Tachycardia?What is Supraventricular Tachycardia?

SupraventricularSupraventricular means “Coming from above means “Coming from above the the Antiarrhythmic drug administration Antiarrhythmic drug administration

Hypoxia Hypoxia Ischaemia Ischaemia Atrial fibrillation Electrical shock administered during Electrical shock administered during cardioversion Electrical shock caused by accidental contact with Electrical shock caused by accidental contact with improperly grounded equipment improperly grounded equipment

o.” .” TachycardiaTachycardia means “Fast Heart Rate.” means “Fast Heart Rate.”

What is Supraventricular Tachycardia?What is Supraventricular Tachycardia?

Supraventricular TachycardiaSupraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)(SVT)

Paroxysmal Supraventricular TachycardiaParoxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT)(PSVT)

Paroxysmal Atrial TachycardiaParoxysmal Atrial Tachycardia (PAT)(PAT)

Etiology [Cause]Etiology [Cause]

Most Supraventricular Tachycardia results Most Supraventricular Tachycardia results from abnormal electrical connections in the from abnormal electrical connections in the heart that short-circuit the normal electrical heart that short-circuit the normal electrical system. system.

What causes these abnormal pathways is not clearWhat causes these abnormal pathways is not clear

Etiology [Cause]Etiology [Cause]During an episode of Supraventricular During an episode of Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), the heartbeat is controlled Tachycardia (SVT), the heartbeat is controlled by the by the SA nodeSA node (not The normal timer of the (not The normal timer of the heart). Another part of the heart overrides heart). Another part of the heart overrides this timer with faster impulses. The source or this timer with faster impulses. The source or ‘trigger’ of the impulse in an SVT is ‘trigger’ of the impulse in an SVT is somewhere above the ventricles, but the somewhere above the ventricles, but the impulse then spreads to the ventricles. The impulse then spreads to the ventricles. The heart then contracts faster than normal.heart then contracts faster than normal.

Normally, the heart’s electrical system Normally, the heart’s electrical system precisely controls the rhythm and rate at precisely controls the rhythm and rate at which the heart beats. In SVT, abnormal which the heart beats. In SVT, abnormal electrical connections cause the heart to electrical connections cause the heart to beat too fast. speeds up to rates of about beat too fast. speeds up to rates of about 150 to 200 beats per minute and 150 to 200 beats per minute and occasionally as high as 300. After some occasionally as high as 300. After some time, the heart returns to a normal rate of 60 time, the heart returns to a normal rate of 60 – 100 beats per minute on it’s own or after – 100 beats per minute on it’s own or after treatment.treatment.

Etiology [Cause]Etiology [Cause]

Symptoms:Symptoms:

•Your pulse rate becomes 150 – 200 beats per minute.Your pulse rate becomes 150 – 200 beats per minute.•Palpitations (Feeling your heart beat)Palpitations (Feeling your heart beat)•Dizziness, or Feeling Light HeadedDizziness, or Feeling Light Headed•You may become breathlessYou may become breathless•If you have angina, then an angina pain may be triggered by an If you have angina, then an angina pain may be triggered by an episode of SVTepisode of SVT•You may have no symptomsYou may have no symptoms, You may only be aware that your, You may only be aware that your heart is beating fast. heart is beating fast.

Symptoms last as long as the episode of SVT lasts. Symptoms last as long as the episode of SVT lasts. This may be seconds, minutes, hours, or rarely longer. This may be seconds, minutes, hours, or rarely longer.

Symptoms Include the following:Symptoms Include the following:

TreatmentTreatment:: Many episodes of Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) Many episodes of Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)

soon stop and no treatment Is needed. If an episode of soon stop and no treatment Is needed. If an episode of SVT does last a long time or is severe you may be SVT does last a long time or is severe you may be admitted to a hospital to stop it.admitted to a hospital to stop it.

Medicines which are given by injection into a vein will Medicines which are given by injection into a vein will usually stop an SVT. usually stop an SVT. [Adenosine is commonly used][Adenosine is commonly used]

Adenosine works by Adenosine works by blocking electrical blocking electrical impulses of the heart.impulses of the heart.

Verapamil is an alternative if adenosine is not advised. Verapamil is an alternative if adenosine is not advised. [People with asthma cannot have adenosine][People with asthma cannot have adenosine]

Electric Shock treatment is rarely needed Electric Shock treatment is rarely needed to stop an episode of SVT.to stop an episode of SVT.

A test that measures the electrical A test that measures the electrical signals that control the rhythm of signals that control the rhythm of your heartbeat.your heartbeat.

ElectrocardiogramElectrocardiogram [EKG][EKG]Exams:Exams:

ElectrocardiogramElectrocardiogram [EKG][EKG]Exams:Exams:

The EKG between episodes of SVT is The EKG between episodes of SVT is usually normal. So, doing an ECG usually normal. So, doing an ECG between episodes of symptoms may between episodes of symptoms may not be much help. However, if SVT not be much help. However, if SVT is suspected, you may be asked to is suspected, you may be asked to wear a small portable ECG recorder. wear a small portable ECG recorder. Some types record an ECG Some types record an ECG continuously over 24 hours. Others continuously over 24 hours. Others are designed so that you can switch are designed so that you can switch it on to record when you have it on to record when you have symptoms. This is called a Holter symptoms. This is called a Holter MonitorMonitor

ElectrocardiogramElectrocardiogram [EKG][EKG]Exams:Exams:

An EKG of Supraventricular TachycardiaAn EKG of Supraventricular Tachycardia

Other Exams:Other Exams:•Ambulatory ElectrocardiogramAmbulatory Electrocardiogram

•EchocardiogramEchocardiogram

•Stress Stress TestTest•Cardiac CatheterizationCardiac Catheterization

•Electrophysiological StudyElectrophysiological Study

records the electrical activity of records the electrical activity of your heart while you do your usual your heart while you do your usual activities. Many heart problems activities. Many heart problems become noticeable only during become noticeable only during activity, such as exercise, eating, activity, such as exercise, eating, sex, stress, bowel movements, or sex, stress, bowel movements, or even sleeping. even sleeping.

is a diagnostic test that uses is a diagnostic test that uses ultrasound waves to produce an ultrasound waves to produce an image of the heart muscle and image of the heart muscle and the heart's valves. the heart's valves.

is used to evaluate the heart and is used to evaluate the heart and vascular system during exercise. vascular system during exercise. It helps answer to two general It helps answer to two general questions: 1) Is there occult questions: 1) Is there occult underlying heart disease that underlying heart disease that only becomes apparent when the only becomes apparent when the heart is stressed by exercise? 2) heart is stressed by exercise? 2) If there is underlying heart If there is underlying heart disease, how severe is it?  disease, how severe is it? 

Is a test that measures blood pressure Is a test that measures blood pressure within the heart and how much within the heart and how much oxygen is in the blood. It's also used to oxygen is in the blood. It's also used to get information about the pumping get information about the pumping ability of the heart muscle. ability of the heart muscle.

is a test that maps the electrical is a test that maps the electrical conduction system in the heart. conduction system in the heart.

Once episodes of Supraventricular Once episodes of Supraventricular tachycardia begin, they generally occur tachycardia begin, they generally occur again. These frequently stop again. These frequently stop spontaneously or with simple maneuvers spontaneously or with simple maneuvers but may require taking medications daily but may require taking medications daily if they persist. Medication treatment if they persist. Medication treatment typically includes beta-blockers, & typically includes beta-blockers, & calcium channel blockers.calcium channel blockers.

•Reduce Stress in your life.Reduce Stress in your life.•Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle.Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

•Eliminate caffeine and other stimulants and Eliminate caffeine and other stimulants and alcohol.alcohol.•Comply with medications and medical advice.Comply with medications and medical advice.

•Learn more about this condition.Learn more about this condition.