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Tachycardia: Difference between revisions
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→AV Nodal Re-entry Tachycardia (AVNRT)
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==AV Nodal Re-entry Tachycardia (AVNRT)== | ==AV Nodal Re-entry Tachycardia (AVNRT)== | ||
* <b>Pathophysiology:</b> AVNRT is a regular arrhythmia relying only on the dual AV-physiology for its maintenance. The AV-node has two pathways; a fast pathway with fast conduction times and a slow pathway with exhibits slow conduction. The fast pathway has a longer refractory period than the slow pathway. Due to these characteristics re-entry formation is possible. Normally the impulse from the atria is conducted through the fast pathway to the ventricle. The impulse also travels through the slow pathway, but reaches a refractory ending of the AV-node (as the fast pathway already has conducted the impulse and activated this part of the AV-node). When an extra premature atrial contraction occurs it encounters a refractory fast-pathway (which has a longer refractory period). It enters the slow pathway and when it reaches the end of this pathway it can conduct to the (now restored) end of the AV-node to the ventricles and back into the fast pathway. The result is a ventricular activation with a retrograde P-wave. If the slow pathway is restored when the impulse reaches the end (atrial side) of the fast pathway, the impulse can re-enter the slow-pathway and a re-entry mechanism is established. This is usually the mechanism of an AVNRT and is called a typical AVNRT and is found in 90% of the patient with an AVNRT. There exists two other form of AVNRT that take a different route through the AV-node. Firstly there is an atypical AVNRT in which the impulse travels through the fast pathway and returns through the slow pathway. The result of this AVNRT is a retrograde P-wave which appears far from the QRS complex. Finally there is a rare AVNRT which in patients with two slow pathways. The impulse enters en re-enters through a slow pathway. | * <b>Pathophysiology:</b> AVNRT is a regular arrhythmia relying only on the dual AV-physiology for its maintenance. The AV-node has two pathways; a fast pathway with fast conduction times and a slow pathway with exhibits slow conduction. The fast pathway has a longer refractory period than the slow pathway. Due to these characteristics re-entry formation is possible. Normally the impulse from the atria is conducted through the fast pathway to the ventricle. The impulse also travels through the slow pathway, but reaches a refractory ending of the AV-node (as the fast pathway already has conducted the impulse and activated this part of the AV-node). When an extra premature atrial contraction occurs it encounters a refractory fast-pathway (which has a longer refractory period). It enters the slow pathway and when it reaches the end of this pathway it can conduct to the (now restored) end of the AV-node to the ventricles and back into the fast pathway. The result is a ventricular activation with a retrograde P-wave. If the slow pathway is restored when the impulse reaches the end (atrial side) of the fast pathway, the impulse can re-enter the slow-pathway and a re-entry mechanism is established. This is usually the mechanism of an AVNRT and is called a typical AVNRT and is found in 90% of the patient with an AVNRT. There exists two other form of AVNRT that take a different route through the AV-node. Firstly there is an atypical AVNRT in which the impulse travels through the fast pathway and returns through the slow pathway. The result of this AVNRT is a retrograde P-wave which appears far from the QRS complex. Finally there is a rare AVNRT which in patients with two slow pathways. The impulse enters en re-enters through a slow pathway. | ||
* <b>Clinical diagnosis: </b>It is a fast regular small complex tachycardia with a frequency of 180-250 bpm. It is more common in female than in men (3:1) and has a sudden onset. Palpitation can cause the Frog sign; neck vein palpitations which occur due to simultaneous contraction of the atrial and ventricle. The atria cannot empty in the ventricles and therefore expulse their content in the venous circulation | * <b>Clinical diagnosis: </b>It is a fast regular small complex tachycardia with a frequency of 180-250 bpm. It is more common in female than in men (3:1) and has a sudden onset. Palpitation can cause the Frog sign; neck vein palpitations which occur due to simultaneous contraction of the atrial and ventricle. The atria cannot empty in the ventricles and therefore expulse their content in the venous circulation. A typical AVNRT can be diagnosed on the ECG by a RP distance of 100ms. The P wave is hidden in the QRS complex or appears directly after the QRS complex. An atypical AVNRT has a retrograde P appearing far away from the QRS, as it has to travel through the slow pathway. A registration of the onset can often be quite helpful in establishing the diagnosis AVNRT. | ||
* <b>Management: </b>Termination is possible by vagal manoeuvres (blowing on the wrist, carotid sinus massage) or medication (adenosine, verapamil, diltiazem). If manoeuvres or medication fails electrocardioversion can be performed. | |||
==AVRT== | ==AVRT== | ||