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Supraventricular Tachycardia, Pediatric

Francesca A. Byrne, MD Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • The term supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is generally used to refer to atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT), atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT), and a...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Infants

    • Manifest signs and symptoms of low cardiac output and congestive heart failure (CHF) with prolonged SVT (>48 hours): tachypnea, retractions, irritability, decreased feeding,...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Short-term treatment goals are to terminate the tachycardia.

    • Nonpharmacologic vagal maneuvers; for example, ice to the face for 15 to 30 seconds, rectal stimulation, Valsalva,...

ONGOING CARE

PROGNOSIS

  • Of patients who present in infancy, 30–70% will be asymptomatic by 1 year of age. However, ~1/3 of these patients may experience a reappearance of their tachycardia at an average...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Cohen MI, Triedman JK, Cannon BC, et al. PACES/HRS expert consensus statement on the management of the asymptomatic young patient with a Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW, ventricular pree...

CODES

ICD9

427.89 Other specified cardiac dysrhythmias 

ICD10

I47.1 Supraventricular tachycardia 

SNOMED

  • 6456007 Supraventricular tachycardia (disorder)

  • 276796006 Atrial tachycardia (disorder)

  • 233896004 re-e...

FAQ

  • Q: How should infants on chronic therapy be monitored?

  • A: Parents with infants on chronic therapy for SVT should be educated about counting the heart rate by palpation or auscultation at least 1 or...

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