How To Treat Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia

Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) is a type of irregular heart rhythm or heart arrhythmia where an individual's heart rate becomes excessively fast, starting and stopping suddenly. This irregularity typically occurs when an abnormal electrical pathway in the heart muscle causes a type of short-circuit in the heart's electrical system that results in episodes characterized by a rapid and symptomatic elevated heart rate. Symptoms of PSVT include sudden rapid pulse, anxiety, heart palpitations, chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, and fainting in some cases. While paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia itself is typically not a life-threatening type of heart condition, it can cause an individual to experience debilitating symptoms and complicate other heart problems. Diagnosis of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia is made using an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, Holter monitor evaluation, or electrophysiology study..

Catheter Ablation

Severe cases of PSVT causing debilitating symptoms in an affected individual may require catheter ablation for treatment. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia patients have an abnormality of the tissues separating the upper and lower chambers of the heart. Healthy individuals have an atrioventricular septum that is made up of fibrous tissue that is not contractile like regular muscle tissue. Individuals who have PSVT have an extra muscular section of cells connecting the atria and ventricles that allow for the inappropriate conduction of electrical signals. The signals can cause a contraction and may quickly circle back up to the atria, resulting in PSVT.

Catheter ablation is a procedure involving the use of a catheter and tool that emits high-frequency radio wave energy. The tool is threaded by the catheter to the identified abnormal muscle tissue and then used to destroy the cells that make up these fibers. This procedure had a lower success rate before the introduction of technological advances and endocardial mapping. These tools allow cardiologists to map out the heart tissue and locate the atypical fibers for better precision during the ablation procedure. The success rate of this procedure current day is ninety percent in individuals who have a confirmed and mapped atypical connection causing their condition.