II. Precautions
- Distinguish SVT from Sinus Tachycardia (see Supraventricular Tachycardia for distinguising features)
- Do not use this algorithm for Sinus Tachycardia
- Always obtain an EKG after conversion to a sinus rhythm to asess for underlying causes
- Combining Antiarrhythmics risks complications
- Avoid using both Amiodarone and Procainamide
- Verapamil can also predispose to complications when used in combination with Amiodarone or Procainamide
III. Labs
- Avoid Cardiac Markers (e.g. Troponin, BNP) in children with SVT
- Markers will be increased in PSVT
- Other labs (e.g. Electrolytes)
- Not indicated in most cases of PSVT unless suspected secondary cause
IV. Diagnostics
-
Electrocardiogram
- Indicated in all patients after SVT termination
- Evaluate for signs WPW (Delta wave or Short PR Interval)
- See restrictions below
V. Imaging
-
Chest XRay
- Not indicated in typical SVT
-
Echocardiogram indications
- Adolescents (prior to Cardiac Ablation)
- Infants with Supraventricular Tachycardia
VI. Management: Initial Stable SVT
-
Vagal Stimulation (if no delay)
- See Vagal Maneuver
- Ice water immersion or ice placed on face
- Carotid Massage
- Valsalva Maneuver
- See Valsalva for positional modifications (increased efficacy)
-
Adenosine (if no delay)
- Precautions
- First: 0.1 mg/kg rapid IV push (maximum: 6 mg)
- Second: 0.2 mg/kg rapid IV push (maximum: 12 mg)
- Verapamil
VII. Management:
- Indications
- Unstable SVT
- Especially in prolonged SVT (e.g. lethargic infant) in whom Antiarrhythmics may precipitate hemodynamic instability or worse Arrhythmia
- Failed initial measures
- Typically not beneficical if rhythm terminated with Adenosine dose and then recurred soon after
- Unstable SVT
-
Synchronized Cardioversion
- Conscious Sedation
-
Synchronized Cardioversion
- Initial dose: 0.5-1.0 Joules/kg
- Subsequent doses: Up to 2 Joules/kg
- Repeat cardioversion as needed
VIII. Management: Refractory Narrow Complex Tachycardia
- Consult pediatric cardiology
- Precautions
- Infants presenting in SVT (especially if lethargic)
- Avoid Antiarrhythmics (unless directed by pediatric cardiology)
- Risk of precipitating Congestive Heart Failure or worse Arrhythmia
- Infants presenting in SVT (especially if lethargic)
- Consider either of following agents based on Consultation (choose only one)
- Amiodarone 5 mg/kg IV over 20 to 60 minutes or
- Procainamide 15 mg/kg IV over 30 to 60 minutes (preferred)
- Greater efficacy than Amiodarone with possibly fewer adverse effects
- Chang (2010) Circ Arrhthm Electrophysiol 3(2): 134-40 [PubMed]
IX. Disposition: Following SVT termination
- Infants
- Admit for monitoring
- Cardiology Consultation
- Adolescent (generally healthy)
- Observe for 2 hours if rhythm normalized after Adenosine or Vagal Maneuvers
- Observe for 3-4 hours after Verapamil
- Admit if SVT termination required Amiodarone or Procainamide
X. Disposition: Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome
- See Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome
- Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death (0.1% per year)
- Cardiology Consultation
- Activity Restriction
XI. References
- Claudius, Behar and Bar-Cohen in Herbert (2014) EM:Rap 14(5): 7-8
- Pediatric Resucitation
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Definition (NCI) | A disorder characterized by an electrocardiographic finding of a tachycardia which does not originate in the ventricles or His Purkinje system. There is an abnormally high heart rate and QRS complexes are typically narrow, but aberration or preexcitation may be present. (CDISC) |
Definition (NCI_CTCAE) | A disorder characterized by a dysrhythmia with a heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute that originates above the ventricles. |
Definition (MSH) | A generic expression for any tachycardia that originates above the BUNDLE OF HIS. |
Concepts | Disease or Syndrome (T047) |
MSH | D013617 |
ICD10 | I47.1 |
SnomedCT | 195104006, 266305002, 155363003, 6456007 |
LNC | LA17100-1 |
English | Supraventricular Tachycardias, Tachycardia, Supraventricular, Tachycardias, Supraventricular, SVT, TACHYCARDIA SUPRAVENTRICULAR, Supraventric. tachycardia NOS, Supraventricular tachycardia NOS, SVT - Supraventricular tachy, supraventricular tachycardia (diagnosis), supraventricular tachycardia, Tachycardia supraventricular, Tachycardia, Supraventricular [Disease/Finding], tachycardia supraventricular, supraventricular tachycardias, Supraventricular tachycardia (SVtach), Supraventricular tachycardia NOS (disorder), SVT - Supraventricular tachycardia, Supraventricular tachycardia (disorder), supraventricular; tachycardia, tachycardia; supraventricular, Supraventricular tachycardia, NOS, Supraventricular tachycardia, Supraventricular Tachycardia |
French | TACHYCARDIE SUPRAVENTRICULAIRE, TSV, Tachycardie supraventriculaire, Tachycardie supra-ventriculaire |
Portuguese | TAQUICARDIA SUPRAVENTRICULAR, Taquicardia supraventricular, Taquicardia Supraventricular |
Spanish | TAQUICARDIA SUPRAVENTRICULAR, TSV, taquicardia supraventricular, SAI (trastorno), taquicardia supraventricular, SAI, taquicardia supraventricular (trastorno), taquicardia supraventricular, Taquicardia supraventricular, Taquicardia Supraventricular |
Dutch | tachycardie supraventriculair, SVT, supraventriculair; tachycardie, tachycardie; supraventriculair, supraventriculaire tachycardie, Supraventriculaire tachycardie, Tachycardie, supraventriculaire |
German | SVT, Supraventrikulaere Tachykardie, TACHYKARDIE SUPRAVENTRIKULAER, Tachykardie supraventrikulaer, Supraventrikuläre Tachykardie, Tachykardie, supraventrikuläre |
Japanese | 上室性頻脈, ジョウシツセイヒンミャク |
Swedish | Takykardi, supraventrikulär |
Finnish | Supraventrikulaarinen takykardia |
Russian | TAKHIKARDIIA SUPRAVENTRIKULIARNAIA, TAKHIKARDIIA NADZHELUDOCHKOVAIA, ТАХИКАРДИЯ НАДЖЕЛУДОЧКОВАЯ, ТАХИКАРДИЯ СУПРАВЕНТРИКУЛЯРНАЯ |
Czech | SVT, Tachykardie supraventrikulární, Supraventrikulární tachykardie, supraventrikulární tachykardie, tachykardie supraventrikulární, supraventrikulární tachyarytmie |
Korean | 심실상성 빠른맥 |
Polish | Svt, Tachykardia nadkomorowa, Częstoskurcz nadkomorowy |
Hungarian | SVT, Tachycardia, supraventricularis, Supraventricularis tachycardia |
Norwegian | Supraventrikulær takykardi |
Italian | Tachicardia sopraventricolare |