Abstract

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a rapid cardiac rhythm due to abnormal electrical impulses originating at or above the atrioventricular node. It entails a range of arrhythmias whose mechanisms have been explained to date. Treatment includes medical and invasive therapies, which have evolved concurrently with mechanism identification. Correct recognition regarding the type of SVT is essential for diagnosis and management using invasive or non-invasive techniques. This article outlines the classifications, pathophysiology, and electrocardiographic features that help differentiate several types of SVTs and the current trends in management. Extensive details regarding atrial fibrillation were not covered. Acute management of SVT is similar across the numerous types. In hemodynamically stable patients, vagal maneuvers are first-line treatment, followed by medical therapy if ineffective. In hemodynamically unstable patients, synchronized cardioversion is the treatment of choice. Radiofrequency catheter ablation, which has modernized cardiac electrophysiology, is a safe and effective option for recurrent SVTs. Newer techniques since its insistence in the 1980s have improved ablation efficacy and reduced procedural time and complications. Cryoablation is a functional alternative to radiofrequency catheter ablation over the short term. However, concerns over the long-term recurrence of SVTs and longer procedural times currently limit its use in clinical practice.

Key words: Supraventricular tachycardia; Arrhythmia; Catheter-ablation; Electrocardiogram; Narrow complex tachycardia; Atrial flutter; Atrial tachycardia