Supraventricular tachycardia

Supraventricular tachycardia is a condition in which there is a “short circuit” or point source of a fast heart rhythm involving the top chambers of the heart (atria) or parts of the heart’s conduction system known as the “AV node”.  There are three types of supraventricular tachycardia.

They are:

1. Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT): a reentrant (“short circuit”) rhythm involving the conduction system between the top and bottom chambers of the heart.

2. Atrioventricular Reciprocating Tachycardia (AVRT): a reentrant rhythm involving an “extra connection” between the top and bottom chambers of the heart.  This “extra connection” if seen on EKG effecting conduction to the bottom chambers is called Wolf-Parkinson-White Syndrome.

3. Atrial Tachycardia (AT): consists of either a short circuit a a quickly beating site in the top chamber of the heart

Although clues to the type of tachycardia can be determined using EKGs and maneuvers outside of the lab, definitive diagnosis often requires an electrophysiology study to definitively differentiate between these conditions.  They can be treated by medications or ablation.