Diseases & Conditions
Cardiology and Vascular Disease
Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry Tachycardia
Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry Tachycardia
Description
The most typical form of supraventricular tachycardia is atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia. People with AVNRT have bursts of excessively rapid heartbeat (more than 100 beats per minute) that frequently begin and cease abruptly.
Re-entry of the atrioventricular node Tachycardia can affect anyone, but it seems to happen more frequently in young women.
Symptoms
The rapid heartbeat of AVNRT occurs in episodes that come and go. Before receiving a diagnosis, a patient with the illness may have symptoms for many years. Typical symptoms include:
- Pain in the chest or neck.
- Dizziness.
- Rapid heart rate (140 to 280 beats per minute).
- Palpitations reported as flip-flopping, fluttering, fullness in the throat or neck, pounding, and racing.
- Polyuria, or frequent urination (pee).
- Breathlessness.
Book an appointment with your Cardiologist if you experience any of these symptoms or call the emergency number right away if you experience any chest pain or discomfort.
Rare, severe cases of AVNRT might result in more serious signs and issues such:
- Chest ache.
- Confusion.
- Faking out (syncope).
- Reduced blood pressure (hypotension).
- Shock.
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View MoreCauses
- In a healthy heart, the two upper chambers (the atria) contract in response to an electrical impulse from the sinoatrial node (pump). The two lower chambers of your heart and the atrioventricular (AV) node are where the impulse enters next (the ventricles). Between the top chambers and the lower chambers, the AV node serves as a gate.
- Premature contraction happens in AVNRT. A reentrant circuit, a brief additional channel in the vicinity of the AV node, exists in the heart. The electrical impulse may enter the circuit and circle around due to the early contraction. That might result in a sudden, persistent rapid heartbeat.
Diagnostics
Atrial tachycardia can be diagnosed using a variety of tests and methods, such as:
- Blood testing to look for heart disease, thyroid dysfunction, and other diseases that could cause an irregular heartbeat
- An electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess the heart's electrical activity and time and duration of each beating.
- A portable ECG gadget called a Holter monitor, which records the heart's activity while you go about your daily business.
- An echocardiogram, which employs sound waves to create images of the size, composition, and motion of the heart.
In order to confirm the diagnosis, your Cardiologist may attempt to induce an episode of atrial tachycardia using additional testing.
Treatment
The majority of AVNRT patients don't require medical attention. However, if your episodes are protracted or persistent, your cardiologist may advise:
- Vagal exercise
- Cardioversion
- Medications
- Ablation via catheter
