Before giving the medication, how is SVT usually treated?

Before giving the medication, how is SVT usually treated?

• A. Vagal maneuvers
• B. Immediate synchronized cardioversion
• C. Magnesium infusion
• D. Beta-blocker infusion

Answer: (A)

In stable SVT, the first approach is to use vagal maneuvers because they leverage the AV node’s response to increased parasympathetic tone to slow conduction and often interrupt the reentrant circuit that sustains the tachycardia. Techniques like Valsalva or facial immersion can terminate the rhythm or at least slow it enough to reveal a normal rhythm, all without giving a drug. If these maneuvers don’t work and the patient remains stable, the next step is a rapid antiarrhythmic with a very short action, typically adenosine, which both terminates the tachycardia and helps confirm the diagnosis. Immediate synchronized cardioversion is reserved for patients who are unstable or cannot tolerate the tachycardia. Magnesium and beta-blocker infusions are not first-line for acute SVT; they’re used for other specific arrhythmias or scenarios.

In stable SVT, the first approach is to use vagal maneuvers because they leverage the AV node’s response to increased parasympathetic tone to slow conduction and often interrupt the reentrant circuit that sustains the tachycardia. Techniques like Valsalva or facial immersion can terminate the rhythm or at least slow it enough to reveal a normal rhythm, all without giving a drug. If these maneuvers don’t work and the patient remains stable, the next step is a rapid antiarrhythmic with a very short action, typically adenosine, which both terminates the tachycardia and helps confirm the diagnosis. Immediate synchronized cardioversion is reserved for patients who are unstable or cannot tolerate the tachycardia. Magnesium and beta-blocker infusions are not first-line for acute SVT; they’re used for other specific arrhythmias or scenarios.