Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in an octogenarian

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Geriatric Medicine
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) is a prevalent cardiac dysrhythmia affecting individuals across all age groups.
• Symptom presentation varies widely, from mild palpitations to severe syncope.
• The incidence of PSVT demonstrates a notable increase with advancing age.

Observation:

• A case report details an 84-year-old male experiencing PSVT secondary to gallstone pancreatitis, choledocholithiasis, and cholecystitis.
• This case highlights the significance of PSVT in the elderly population.
• The patient developed new-onset atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentry tachycardia, potentially triggered by autonomic nervous system overdrive from pain and infection.

Findings:

• PSVT can precipitate serious complications, including syncope and myocardial infarction.
• AV nodal reentry tachycardia incidence rises with age.
• Emergency physicians must be adept at diagnosing and managing PSVT in the growing elderly demographic.

Implications:

• Given the increasing elderly population and rising PSVT incidence, familiarity with its etiology, triggers, presentation, and treatment is essential for emergency physicians.
• Early recognition and intervention in elderly patients experiencing PSVT are critical for preventing adverse outcomes.
• This condition will likely become more frequent in clinical practice, necessitating updated management strategies.