Supraventricular Tachycardia

Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) is the term used by clinicians to refer to any ECG rhythym that is fundamentally triggered by a pacemaker site above the ventricles (meaning anything from the atrial origin).

When doctors refer to a SVT, they are usually refering to Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) which is due to an AV nodal re-entrant tachycardia. Although, by definition, supraventricular tachycardia can refer to any tachycardia that originates above the ventricles, such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, wolf-parkinson’s white syndrome or atrial tachycardia. Most clinicians will refer to these cardiac conditions specifically, and not by the term SVT.

Supraventricular Tachycardia ECG

Heart Rate: ussually greater than 160
Rhythm: essentially regular
Pacemaker Site: an ectopic atrial pacemaker site.
P-waves: with the exception of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, the P-wave in SVT is usually normal and precedes the QRS complex.
PR Interval: Normal – 0.12-0.20 seconds in duration.
QRS Complex: Normal.

Supraventricular Tachycardia Signs and Symptoms

People who are in SVT usually have the following signs and symptoms:

1. Signs associated with poor peripheral perfusion, such as pale, cold and clammy skin.

2. Complains of dizziness, anxiety, sense of impending doom, chest pain, chest tightness, nausea, and palpitations.