Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) generally refers to a rapid heart rhythm originating above the ventricular tissue. More narrowly, it often refers to a group of tachyarrhythmias involving a reentrant mechanism, such as atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) or atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT). Supraventricular tachycardias with a reentry mechanism typically involve two conduction pathways. One pathway is through the AV node, while the other may be an accessory pathway or a functionally separate pathway.
Symptoms of Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
When tachycardia occurs, the patient may experience symptoms such as palpitations, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath. In infants, if the rapid heart rate goes unnoticed and continues for a long time, signs of heart failure may appear.