Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT) »
What is paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)?
Normally, an electrical signal is generated in special pacemaker cells in the
upper chamber (atrium) of the heart. This impulse causes the atrium to beat in a
coordinated fashion and push blood into the ventricles (the lower heart
chambers). The electrical signal continues to a junction box between the atrium
and ventricle (the AV node), where there is a slight delay. This allows the
atrium to contract and send blood to the ventricle. The signal continues
throughout the ventricles and causing them to beat and push blood to the body.
In paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), abnormal conduction of
that electricity causes the atrium, and secondarily the ventricles, to beat very
rapidly. It is paroxysmal, because the rapid rate can occur sporadically and
without warning. It may last a few seconds or many hours. Often the PSVT
resolves before the patient reaches a healthcare provider...
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