Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)

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PSVT; Supraventricular tachycardia

• Palpitations (a sensation of feeling the heart beat)
• Rapid pulse
• Anxiety , feeling of impending doom
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness

• Fainting
• Dizziness

Note: Symptoms may start and stop suddenly, and can last for a few minutes or several hours. A PSVT lasting more than 50% of the day is considered an incessant PSVT.

An examination during a PSVT episode detects a rapid heart rate. The heart rate may be 150 to 250 beats per minute (bpm) (in children the heart rate tends to be very high). There may be signs of poor perfusion (blood circulation) such as light-headedness. Between episodes of PSVT, the heart rate is normal (60 to 100 bpm).

• An ECG during symptoms shows PSVT.
• Because of the sporadic nature of the PSVT, its diagnosis may require continuous ambulatory monitoring. The most common is the 24-hour Holter monitoring. For longer recording periods, a "loop recorder" (with computer memory) is used.
• An electrophysiology study (EPS) is often necessary for an accurate diagnosis, and to recommend the best treatment.

Review Date: 05/31/2006
Reviewed By: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.