Cat 3 | Nursing homework help
When looking at electrocardiographic (ECG) findings to differentiate between the common supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs), there are certain features which can provide more insight into the underlying cause. For example, atrioventricular reentry tachycardia (AVRT) is usually associated with a narrow QRS complex and regular P waves which may be seen in leads I, II, III, or V1 of the ECG. On the other hand, atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) tends to have wider QRS complexes that are often irregularly spaced.
Additionally, sinus node reentrant tachycardia (SNRT) is usually characterized by a normal sinus rhythm and short PR intervals while orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia/Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome typically displays an abnormal axis along with an antegrade conduction over accessory pathways as seen on the ECG. Ultimately, by examining these parameters it becomes possible to identify key differences between each type of SVT which can help guide clinicians towards providing more effective treatment plans accordingly.