Supraventrikuläre Tachykardien

Supraventricular tachycardias (SVT) are paroxysmal tachycardias as are sinus tachycardia, atrial tachycardia, AV nodal reentry tachycardia, and tachycardia due to accessory pathways. All SVT are characterized by a ventricular heart rate >100/min and small QRS complexes (QRS width <120 ms) during tachycardia. It is essential to evaluate the arrhythmia history, to perform a good physical examination, and to accurately analyze the 12-lead electrocardiogram. An exact SVT diagnosis is then possible in >90% of SVT patients. For acute therapy, vagal maneuvers, adenosine, class I antiarrhythmic drugs, beta blocking agents, and calcium antagonists (verapamil type) are necessary, whereas drug therapy is not the method of choice for long-term treatment. Catheter ablation is an excellent therapeutic approach for patients with SVT with success rates >95%. Therefore, this approach is the treatment of choice for these patients.