Supraventricular tachycardia emergencies: diagnosis and management

A variety of acute supraventricular tachycardias may be encountered. In many instances the therapies for these rhythm disturbances overlap, but a rational approach to individual disturbances should be based on an understanding of the anatomy and physiology involved in the individual dysrhythmia. Numerous investigative approaches are underway at present, especially with regard to interruption of arrhythmia pathways by electroshock therapy or surgical therapy. In addition, pacing overdrive may be very effective, especially in patients with reentrant arrhythmias.