HOW TO TREAT A PATIENT WITH SUPRA VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA?
Episodes of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia often can be stopped by one of several maneuvers that stimulate the vagus nerve and thus decrease the heart rate. Maneuvers include # straining as if having a difficult bowel movement, # rubbing the neck just below the angle of the jaw (which stimulates a sensitive area on the carotid artery called the carotid sinus)(only under medical supervision), and # plunging the face into a bowl of ice-cold water. These maneuvers are most effective when they are used shortly after the arrhythmia starts. Only if these measures fail , then the question of pacing or ablation may be considered.
