Supraventricular Tachycardia Case Studies

Supraventricular Tachycardia, Pediatric

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm in children. It can make a child’s heart beat very quickly. This can be frightening, but it is rarely dangerous. Episodes of SVT start suddenly and usually go away on their own.

Children with SVT usually do not have other heart abnormalities. Most babies with SVT outgrow it by the time they are one year old. Older children may need treatment if the episodes are frequent and cause symptoms.

CAUSES

This condition is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the heart. It is not known what causes the abnormal electrical activity.

RISK FACTORS

An episode of SVT is more likely to occur in children who:

• Drink sodas

• Massaging one side of the neck just below the jaw.

• Massaging the eyes with eyes closed.

• Having your child bend over and cough.

• Splashing ice water on your child’s face.

If vagus nerve stimulation does not work, other treatments include:

• Medicines to prevent an attack.

• Being treated in the hospital with medicines or electric shock to stop an attack (cardioversion). This treatment can include:

○ Getting medicine through an intravenous (IV) line.

○ Having a small electric shock delivered to the heart. Your child will be given medicine to sleep through this procedure.

• If your child is having frequent episodes with symptoms, your child may need a long-term treatment to get rid of the faulty areas of the heart (radiofrequency ablation) and end episodes of SVT. In this procedure:

○ A long, thin tube (catheter) is passed through one of your child’s veins into the heart.

○ Energy directed through the catheter eliminates the areas of the heart that are causing abnormal electric stimulation.

HOME CARE

○ Check with your child’s health care provider before giving your child any new medicines, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements.

• Do not let your child eat or drink anything that contains caffeine.

• Make sure your child gets enough sleep and does not become overtired.

• Keep all follow-up visits as directed by your child’s health care provider. This is important.

• Work closely with all of your child’s health care providers, including your child’s cardiologist.

SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:

• Your child has side effects from medicines.

• Your child has symptoms of SVT that are becoming more frequent or lasting longer.

• Your child has new symptoms along with other symptoms of SVT.

• Your child’s health care provider has prescribed vagus nerve stimulation techniques and the techniques are no longer working or not working as well as before.

SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF:

• Your child has symptoms of SVT that do not go away after 20 minutes.

• Your child has trouble breathing.

• Your child complains of chest pain.

• Your child passes out during an SVT