Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment for svt in a 4 year old

by Florine Grant Jr. Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Your child's pediatric cardiologist may prescribe a medicine they take each day to treat SVT. Medicine does not cure SVT. It decreases the number of events and helps control symptoms by keeping the heart rate from beating too fast. This type of medicine is called a beta blocker.

Medication

Many babies with SVT will outgrow the arrhythmia by their first birthday. For children who continue to have SVT symptoms, treatment may include: Older children can learn to do vagal maneuvers to try to slow or stop an episode of fast heart rate. Vagal maneuvers may include:

Procedures

Etheridge SP, Craig JE, Compton SJ. Amiodarone is safe and highly effective therapy for supraventricular tachycardia in infants. Am Heart J 2001; 141:105.

Therapy

This can help cure SVT. Your healthcare provider puts a thin, flexible tube (catheter) into a blood vessel in the groin. He or she then gently pushes it up into your heart. The area of your heart that causes your SVT is then either cauterized with heat or scarred with freezing energy.

Nutrition

Calcium channel or beta blockers can help correct heart rhythm. If you have SVT only 1 or 2 times a year, you may take beta-blockers or calcium channel medicines by mouth (orally) as needed. If your SVT is more frequent, you may need to take medicine every day. Some people may need to take several medicines to prevent episodes of SVT.

See more

What is the treatment for SVT in children?

What are the treatment options for supraventricular tachycardia in infants?

Can SVT be cured?

How do you treat SVT with beta blockers?

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What is the treatment of SVT in children?

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is defined as an abnormally rapid heart rhythm originating above the ventricles....Management of Supraventricular Tachycardia of Children.Condition or diseaseIntervention/treatmentSupraventricular TachycardiaDrug: adenosine,Propranolol,flecainide, amiodarone, propranolol, digoxin and procainamide.

What is SVT in a 4 year old?

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is an abnormality of the heart's rhythm, when the heart suddenly beats much faster than normal. When the heart beats much faster because of SVT this is called an episode of SVT. Some children with SVT feel very well but others can be affected more severely.

What triggers SVT in children?

When SVT starts, it usually does so quite suddenly. Many children say the rapid heartbeats felt like “flipping a light switch.” For some children, there is a pretty clear trigger, such as being sick, physical activity, excitement, stress or stimulants like caffeine.

What is the most common treatment for SVT?

Most people with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) don't need treatment. However, if you have long or frequent episodes, your health care provider may recommend the following: Carotid sinus massage. A health care provider applies gentle pressure on the neck where the carotid artery splits into two branches.

Can kids outgrow SVT?

While babies with supraventricular tachycardia commonly outgrow the arrhythmia, older children usually do not. Depending on your child's age and the severity and frequency of symptoms, the cardiologist may recommend a catheter ablation procedure to permanently eliminate SVT.

Can a child grow out of SVT?

What happens next? Many babies 'grow out' of neonatal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) as the additional pathway seems to disappear by the age of a year. For the majority, they will not have any further episodes of SVT but some will need regular monitoring and follow up throughout childhood and adolescence.

What is considered tachycardia in a 4 year old?

The Advanced Paediatric Life Support criteria define tachycardia, by age of the child and heart beats per minute (bpm), as: age <12 months: >160 bpm. age 12–24 months: >150 bpm. age 2–5 years: >140 bpm.

What is the first line treatment for SVT?

Adenosine (Adenocard) Adenosine is the first-line medical treatment for the termination of paroxysmal SVT. It is a short-acting agent that alters potassium conductance into cells and results in hyperpolarization of nodal cells.

Is an SVT life threatening?

SVT is rarely life threatening. But you may need treatment in hospital if you keep having long episodes. This may include: medicines to control the episodes of SVT – given as tablets or through a vein.

What triggers SVT episode?

SVT triggers SVT is usually triggered by extra heartbeats (ectopic beats), which occur in all of us but may also be triggered by: some medications, including asthma medications, herbal supplements and cold remedies. drinking large amounts of caffeine or alcohol.

When should SVT be treated?

SVT is usually treated if: You have symptoms such as dizziness, chest pain, or fainting that are caused by your fast heart rate. Your episodes of fast heart rate are occurring more often or do not return to normal on their own.

What medication helps SVT?

Commonly prescribed medications are beta-blockers, verapamil, and digoxin. Occasionally, other medications called antiarrhythmic drugs (such as amiodarone or sotalol) may be given to prevent SVT episodes from occurring.

What Is Supraventricular Tachycardia?

What Are The Effects of This Problem on My Child's Health?

How Is This Problem Diagnosed?

How Is The Problem Treated?

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Kabir Sethi
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Treatment may not be necessary for most of the cases. If the problem persists for longer time and is more frequent, certain medications and therapies slow down the heart beat.
Medication

Anti-arrhythmic drugs: Normalize the heart rhythm.

Verapamil


Beta blockers: To control the heart rhythm.

Atenolol

Procedures

Electrical cardioversion: Use of electrical current to reset the heart rhythm.

Catheter ablation: Destroying a tiny part of the heart that causes the problem.

Therapy

Vagal maneuver:Certain maneuvers, like blowing with mouth and nose closed, splashing cold water on the face, coughing, affects the nerves controlling the heart rhythm.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Low fat food such as skimmed milk, fat free yogurt
  • Foods high in protein content such as beef, green peas, soya

Foods to avoid:

  • Avoid beverages containing caffeine such as tea and coffee
  • Avoid fried foods

Specialist to consult

Cardiologist
Specializes in the diagnosis and management heart related disorders.
Emergency medicine specialist
Specializes in identifying and managing illnesses or injuries requiring immediate medical attention.
Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

Clinics

  • Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is the most common arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) diagnosed in children. It is said to occur in up to 1 in 2500 children. While the problem is often congenital, meaning it is present at birth, the onset and severity of symptoms varies. Most of the time, the problem occurs in children with otherwi…
See more on mottchildren.org

Diagnosis

  • SVT is almost never life-threatening and treatment outcomes are excellent. It causes intermittent symptoms of heart racing and may cause chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and/or fainting. The episodes may or may not be related to exercise. Although the set-up for SVT is often present at birth, the symptoms can start at any time. The episodes seem to occur more during infancy, then again at around 7 to 8 years of age, and then du…
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Treatment

  • Clinical features: As described above, infants may be diagnosed because of symptoms of congestive heart failure including poor feeding, unusual sleepiness, irritability, vomiting, rapid breathing, and/or pale skin color. In children, the problem is found because of symptoms of "heart racing" that may be associated with dizziness, lightheadedness, chest pain, shortness of breath, and/or fainting. Physical findings: Most of the time the physica…
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Lifestyle and Home Remedies

  • As stated above, the fast heart rate occurs intermittently and is rarely life-threatening. The episodes are started by extra, early heartbeats. Although these extra beats occur in all children and adults, they can be increased in frequency by caffeine and other stimulants such as decongestants found in cold and allergy medications or inhalers used to treat asthma. For this reason, people with SVT are often counseled to avoid caffeine in their die…
See more on mottchildren.org

Alternative Medicine

  • Care and services for patients with this problem are provided in the Arrhythmia Clinics and Congenital Heart Clinics at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor.
See more on mottchildren.org

Preparing For Your Appointment

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To diagnose supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), your health care provider will examine you and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history. Blood tests are usually done to check for conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as thyroid disease.
See more on mayoclinic.org

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