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Supraventricular Tachycardias: How to Diagnose the Mechanism

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Abstract

Supraventricular tachycardias are a very common clinical condition. In this chapter, we analyze few supraventricular tachydardia 12-lead EKGs to discover their underlying mechanism.

At first, we have to observe the rhythm regular pattern. If regular, we have to check for P (or F) waves. If a P wave is visible, we have to assess the P/QRS ratio. When atrial activity is faster than the ventricular, we may consider the atrial flutter or atrial tachycardia hypothesis.

When P/QRS ratio is 1:1, we have to consider a possible reentrant circuit between atria and ventricles. Then, assessing RP and PR intervals, we can identify the mechanism of the tachycardia and make the correct diagnosis.

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Enea, G., Menditto, A., Patani, F., Troiano, F. (2019). Supraventricular Tachycardias: How to Diagnose the Mechanism. In: Capucci, A. (eds) New Concepts in ECG Interpretation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-91677-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-91677-4_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-91676-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-91677-4

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