Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Quantium Medical Cardiac Output wikipedia , lookup
Cardiac contractility modulation wikipedia , lookup
Coronary artery disease wikipedia , lookup
Heart failure wikipedia , lookup
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia wikipedia , lookup
Myocardial infarction wikipedia , lookup
Dextro-Transposition of the great arteries wikipedia , lookup
Atrial fibrillation wikipedia , lookup
How can SVT attacks be prevented? There are different oral medications (medicines taken by mouth) which can be given to children who suffer from SVT, which prevent attacks when taken regularly. The choice of medication depends on the type of tachycardia. Common medicines include: Sotalol, Flecainide, Atenolol and Amiodarone. How is an SVT attack stopped? Emergency Contacts IN AN EMERGENCY, DIAL 111 Your local hospital is: “Vagal manoeuvres” can stop an attack of SVT. These work by stimulating the vagus nerve in the chest causing the heart to slow. In the infant, you can try a cold (iced) flannel over the eyes for about ten seconds. In hospital (only), doctors may immerse a baby’s face under cold water for a few seconds. Children can put their thumb in their mouth and blow hard on it—until they go red in the face. A very cold drink, or standing on their head can work too! Starship Hospital Ward 23B: (09) 6304949 ext 23230 www.starship.org.nz Intravenous medications (medicines put directly into a vein) are used in hospital to stop an attack. The usual medications are Adenosine and Amiodarone. For booking issues : Heart Surgery Ph: (09) 630 9946 Cardiac Catheter Ph: (09)623 6496 Electrical cardioversion is rarely needed. This involves using a controlled electrical shock to ‘jolt’ the heart back to a normal rhythm and is done under a brief general anaesthetic. Can SVT be cured? If the tachycardia persists to school age, the SVT can be cured by physically disabling the part of the heart causing the problem. This is called radio-frequency ablation, and involves a cardiac catheter study where the electrical pathways of the heart are clearly mapped and the problem area identified and disabled. It is usually done under a general anaesthetic, and the catheters (special wires) are passed to the heart from veins in the top of the leg. Contact us For questions about your child’s condition: Children’s Heart Nurse Specialists Mon—Fri (09) 6309972 or 021 614348/ 021 774606 Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) discharge information for families What is Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)? A normal heartbeat originates from the sinus node, the heart's pacemaker. The electrical signal passes to the bottom of the heart through a special junction, called the AV node. An abnormally fast heart rhythm (tachycardia) can arise from the upper or lower chambers of the heart, or be a "circuit" made up of the upper and lower chambers. The heart’s electrical activity can be seen well using an electrocardiograph (ECG). Tachycardias that originate from the lower chambers (i.e. the ventricles) are called ventricular tachycardias. Those that involve the upper chambers (i.e. the atria) are termed supraventricular tachycardias (SVT). How dangerous is SVT? Supraventricular tachycardias are usually not dangerous. They are not due to a "heart attack" and in children with an otherwise healthy heart do not cause sudden death. However, if they occur very often or for long periods of time (hours to days) then they can cause difficulty with the pumping action of the heart. This can be dangerous if untreated. Types of Tachycardia Supra-Ventricular Atrial tachycardia An area of the upper chambers takes over the pacemaker activity of the heart. This is relatively uncommon in children. Atrial Flutter A large area of the upper chamber forms an electrical circuit. This rhythm can be seen in children who have had previous heart surgery involving the upper chambers. Some children with atrial flutter are at risk of developing clots because the blood flow in these chambers is slow and disorganized. Atrio-ventricular re-entrant tachycardia (AVRT) An extra electrical connection (called an "accessory pathway") exists between the upper and lower chambers. The wave of electricity that normally passes from the top to the bottom of the heart can now pass back up through the abnormal pathway, forming a re-entry circuit. This is the most common form of SVT in children under 8 years of age. The majority of infants with atrio-ventricular reentrant tachycardia "outgrow" the tachycardia during their first year. Specific diagnoses falling into this category include Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW) and Permanent Junctional Reciprocating Tachycardia (PJRT). WPW can rarely be life-threatening in the older child, so special tests and usually curative treatment are recommended if it persists to school age. Atrio-ventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) The atrio-ventricular node is located between the upper and lower chambers of the heart. It is normally the only area that allows the electrical activity of the heart to pass from the upper chambers to the lower chambers. Sometimes this area can become the source for a tachycardia. This is the most common form of SVT in children over 8 years of age. How do I recognise if my child has SVT? In older children and adolescents, a fast heart rate is often felt as palpitations. They may feel their heart racing at unexpected times such as resting, doing homework, after exercise or eating dinner. Younger children may have difficulty describing this sensation and may complain of chest pain. SVT may rarely cause children or adolescents to pass out (syncope). Some newborns can be quite unwell if they have had SVT in the womb for a long time, however in most infants SVT is well tolerated. The fast heart rate might be noticed while cuddling the baby or during feedings. Some infants develop poor feeding, irritability, or pallor (unnatural paleness) if the SVT continues. If your baby has a fast heart rate very often or shows any of these signs, you should seek medical advice. When to seek help urgently During a bad attack, your child may become dizzy/ less alert, pass out, feel cold, look pale and/or sweaty. Learning to take your child’s pulse is an important skill that will help identify when the rhythm is too fast. If you feel a fast heart rate is causing your child to become seriously unwell, call an ambulance. Always call an ambulance if your child passes out with an attack. If it is SVT, they should wake up quickly. Try “vagal manoeuvres” (see overleaf). Keep your child lying down, or sitting, until fully recovered.