Narrow-Complex Supraventricular Tachycardia
Objectives
At the end of this chapter, the student should be able to:
- Define the umbrella term supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), and list and discuss its two divisions, the narrow-complex SVTs and the wide-complex SVTs. (pp 379–380)
- Discuss the “return” to the term SVT in modern clinical practice. (pp 380–381)
- Discuss the depolarization pathway as it occurs in the narrow-complex SVTs and in wide-complex tachycardias. (p 381)
- Recall and have a working knowledge of the common major narrow-complex SVTs. (pp 381–387)
- List at least three of the most common narrow-complex SVTs. (p 382)
- List the most common arrhythmia seen in clinical practice. (p 382)
- Discuss how the history and physical examination remain integral in the evaluation of any patient with an arrhythmia. (pp 387–388)
- Discuss how anxiety or psychological causation for any sign, symptom, or disease should be considered only once you have ruled out organic causes. (p 388)
- Discuss the value of additional leads in the diagnosis of any arrhythmia. (p 390)
- Apply the width of the QRS complex to narrow down the differential diagnosis of a rhythm disturbance or arrhythmia. (p 390)
- Discuss the limitations of using an SVT’s rate to help identify a rhythm. (pp 392–393)
- Of the nonspecialized leads, indicate which two leads usually best show the presence and morphology of the P waves. (pp 393–396)
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the various diagnostic criteria in this chapter, including regularity, PR/RP ratio, conduction ratios, atrioventricular node–dependent or –independent status, comparison to old strips or ECGs, and atrioventricular dissociation. (pp 393–403)
- List and discuss the three most important complications that cause hemodynamic compromise in a rapid tachycardia. (pp 406–408)
- Compare the concept of synchronized ventricular activation in both narrow- and wide-complex SVTs. Discuss why this is clinically significant. (p 408)
