What is AV nodal reentry tachycardia?
Atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) is the most common type of supraventricular tachycardia. People with AVNRT have episodes of an irregularly fast heartbeat (more than 100 beats per minute) that often start and end suddenly.
What causes atrioventricular nodal reentry?
The triggers for typical AVNRT are usually premature atrial contractions and occasionally premature ventricular contractions.
What does AVNRT feel like?
AVNRT is the most common type of supraventricular tachycardia, and it is more common in women than men (approximately 75% of cases occur in females). The main symptom is heart palpitations, which is a sensation that feels like the heart is beating too hard, fluttering, or skipping a beat.
Is AVNRT life threatening?
While AVNRT is not life-threatening, it can be bothersome for some people, especially since symptoms begin and end so suddenly.
Can AVNRT return after ablation?
Recurrence of AVNRT was documented in 9 patients (2.7%) 11 months to 10 years after ablation. Among those, 7 patients underwent a successful second ablation procedure.
How is AV nodal reentry tachycardia treated?
Verapamil. Intravenous verapamil 5-10 mg is effective to stop AVNRT and it may be better tolerated in some individuals than adenosine. Generally, adenosine is given as the initial therapy, but verapamil may be useful in patients who have recurrent episodes as there is a longer half-life.
Is AVNRT considered heart disease?
In patients without structural heart disease, AVNRT is largely considered to have a benign course and is rarely associated with disabling symptoms, such as syncope.
Does AVNRT go away?
The frequency or severity of symptoms may fluctuate from time-to-time, but they rarely disappear. Because the arrhythmia is due to an abnormal electrical circuit in the heart, there is little any patient can do by himself or herself to prevent or suppress the arrhythmia completely.
Why am I so tired after my cardiac ablation?
Also, your heart rhythm may feel faster than usual for a period of time and you may feel tired as your heart and body need time to adjust. These symptoms will improve on their own over time. It is likely during this period that your doctor will recommend that you continue to take your arrhythmia medication.
Does SVT come back after ablation?
Sometimes the first ablation does not get rid of SVT completely. SVT might come back in 5 to 8 people out of 100. This means that the problem might not come back in 92 to 95 people out of 100. A second ablation usually gets rid of SVT.