What causes AV nodal reentrant tachycardia?

Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is a type of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia that results due to the presence of a re-entry circuit within or adjacent to the AV node. The diagnosis of AVNRT requires visualization of an electrocardiogram (ECG).

What is the mechanism of reentrant tachycardia?

In patients with AVNRT, two pathways connect into the AV node and help form part of the reentrant circuit. In the majority of patients with AVNRT, antegrade conduction occurs over the slow pathway, and retrograde conduction occurs over the fast pathway during AVNRT.

What is AV reentry tachycardia?

Atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) is the most common type of supraventricular tachycardia. People with AVNRT have episodes of an abnormally fast heartbeat (more than 100 beats per minute) that often start and end suddenly.

How do you treat AVNRT?

Medications used to terminate symptomatic AVNRT episodes and to reduce AVNRT occurrences include beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and less commonly digoxin. These medications can be administered orally on a routine outpatient basis, or via intravenous route if necessary in the emergency room.

Can caffeine cause atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia?

Thus caffeine, tobacco products, alcohol, exercise, and/or emotional stress may increase the frequency of PACs and PVCs and therefore the frequency of AVNRT. The patient may have symptoms for years before the diagnosis is elucidated.

What is a junctional tachycardia?

Junctional tachycardia is a form of supraventricular tachycardia, a type of racing pulse caused by a problem in the area between the upper and lower chambers of your heart. It’s known as the atrioventricular node, or AV node.

Can you have 2 AV nodes?

Dual AV nodal physiology is a normal behavior of the human AV node. The response of the AV node to premature stimulation and to different cycle lengths indicates the presence of two or more populations of AV nodal or perinodal cells with different refractoriness and conduction times.

Is AVNRT a heart condition?

AVNRT is considered a paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) which means that it is not persistent, involves the upper chambers of the heart and causes an abnormally fast heartbeat. It is also the most common of the SVTs, with the exception of atrial fibrillation.

Is AVNRT considered heart disease?

In patients without structural heart disease, AVNRT is largely considered to have a benign course and is rarely associated with disabling symptoms, such as syncope.

What is the best treatment for SVT?

Medicine treatment may include beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or other antiarrhythmic medicines. In people who have frequent episodes, treatment with medicines can decrease how often these occur. But these medicines may have side effects. Many people with SVT have a procedure called catheter ablation.

What is the difference between AF and SVT?

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is any rapid heart rhythm originating in the upper chambers of the heart. Some forms are called paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT) or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of serious arrhythmia.

Is AVNRT dangerous?

Usually AVNRT can be cured at the first attempt in 90-95% of people. If it returns, more attempts can be made. As with any other invasive procedure there are risks although these are small. Fortunately complications only occur in about 1% of patients. The most important risk is that of damaging the AV node itself.

What is the best drug treatment for SVT?

Typical medicines used to treat svt include beta blockers or calcium blockers. Some svts require more potent medications or an invasive procedure called ablation. The key is to capture and define the specific rhythm problem – that will dictate the treatment. Good luck.

What is reentry tachycardia?

Reentrant tachycardias are a family of rapid cardiac arrhythmias caused by abnormal electrical connections in the heart. These abnormal connections form potential electrical circuits, which can disrupt the normal heart rhythm.