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correspondence

Indian Pediatr 2013;50: 342

Tachycardia - Treatment Issues!


AK Sharma

KD Medicare Center, Delhi, India.
Email: [email protected]
   
 


The PALS teaching of SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia) is to revert to the sinus rhythm as early as possible, to prevent the onset of CHF or it’s progression. A patient, already presenting in the cardiogenic shock (pale, lethargy, PR 180 /mt.) due to the 2nd episode of SVT has no time for vagal maneuvers and must be given Adenosine by a rapid push method (1st dose 0.1mg/kg up to 6 mg and subsequent 0.2 mg/kg up to 12mg). Meanwhile, the preparations must be done for the synchronised cardioversion (1st dose 0.05 -1J/Kg) and subsequent dose of 2 J/Kg). If the cardiac functions improve, the need for other means of treating shock and mechanical ventilation would logically  decrease. These methods are so specific that if they fail to terminate the SVT, one must revisit the diagnosis, because the next drug Amiodarone though used in SVT, but is also used in ventricular arrhythmias.

In the present case management, there is no mention of using adenosine or cardioversion. In both the episodes of SVT, there was heavy dependence on either Amiodarone or the secondary measures to combat a shock.

Reference

1. Kourti M, Sdougka M. Tachycardia - induced cardiomyopathy presenting with cardiogenic shock. Indian Pediatr. 2012;49:499.

Editorial Note: Authors did not respond to the above letter.

 

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