References

Barthélémy JC, Féasson-Gérard S, Garnier P Automatic cardiac event recorders reveal paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after unexplained strokes or transient ischemic attacks. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol. 2003; 8:(3)194-9

Doniger SJ, Sharieff GQ Pediatric Dysrythmias. Pediatr Clin N Am. 2006; 53:(1)85-105

In: Garg A, Paul SP New Delhi: CBS Publishers; 2012

Garson A, Gillette PC, McNamara DG Supraventricular tachycardia in children: clinical features, response to treatment, and long-term follow-up in 217 patients. J Pediatr. 1981; 98:(6)875-82

Gill D, O’Brien N, 5th Edn. Churchill, Livingstone2007

Hanash CR, Crosson JE Emergency diagnosis and management of pediatric arrhythmias. J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2010; 3:(3)251-60

Lee P, Young M, Wolff GS Treatment strategies of supraventricular tachycardia and asymptomatic Wolff-parkinson White syndrome in Children. Heart Views. 2001; 2:(1)6-15

Karpas A The Evaluation and Managment of Pediatric Cardiac Tachyarrhythmias: An Evidenced Based Approach. Pediatric Emergency Medicine Practice. 2006; 3:(6)1-20

Ko JK, Deal BJ, Stasburger JF Supraventricular tachycardia mechanisms and their age distribution in pediatric patients. Am J Cardiol. 1992; 69:(12)1028-32

Paul SP, Blaikley S, Peevers C Acute supraventricular tachycardia in children. Emerg Nurs. 2012; 20:(6)26-9

Salerno JC, Seslar SP Supraventricular Tachycardia. Arch Dis Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2009; 163:(3)268-74

Smith G Use of the Valsalva manoeuvere in the pre-hospital setting: a review of the literature. Emerg Med J. 2009; 26:(1)8-10

Schlechte EA, Boramanand N, Funk M Supraventricular tachycardia in the pediatric primary care setting: age related presentation, diagnosis and management. J Pediat Health Care. 2008; 22:(5)289-99

Auckland New Zealand: Tachyarrhythmia. 2012. http//www.adhb.govt.nz/starshipclinicalguidelines/_Documents/Tachyarrhythmia.pdf (accessed 12 November 2012)

Uzun O Pitfalls in the diagnosis and acute management of supraventricular tachycardia. Welsh Paed J. 2010; 32:3-6

Recognising supraventricular tachycardia in children: An arrhythmia not to miss

07 December 2012
Features
02 December 2012
Volume 4 · Issue 12

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is the most common symptomatic arrhythmia in children that demands urgent medical attention. This article describes the caveats in diagnosing and managing children with SVT in the pre-hospital setting. It is important that the paramedic team arranges urgent transfer of a child with SVT to the emergency department. The pre-hospital management should include obtaining an electrocardiogram (ECG), administering oxygen and attempting vagal manoeuvres such as carotid sinus massage while en route to hospital. It is also important that the paramedic team should actively look for clues for the sudden onset of SVT in a child such as the presence of illegal drugs at home, a history of accidental ingestion of parents’ medicines, and a family history of arrhythmias. The clinical presentation of SVT varies with the child's age, and can be difficult to diagnose in infants and young children. It is important that paramedic teams consider a diagnosis of SVT in young children with histories of poor feeding, lethargy, irritability, excessive sweating or pallor and in older children with a history of palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, syncope or shortness of breath.

Subscribe to get full access to the Journal of Paramedic Practice

Thank you for visiting the Journal of Paramedic Practice and reading our archive of expert clinical content. If you would like to read more from the only journal dedicated to those working in emergency care, you can start your subscription today for just £48.

What's included

  • CPD Focus

  • Develop your career

  • Stay informed

Register
Or continue by

Signing in with your registered email address