Paroxysmal tachycardia: causes, symptoms and treatment

Paroxysmal tachycardia - a sharp and sudden acceleration of the heartbeat. It is associated with the influence of the ectopic focus, which generates impulses to reduce the myocardium.

Causes and types

Paroxysmal tachycardia occur with a heart attackheart, myocarditis, atherosclerotic cardiosclerosis. In the etiology of the development of this pathology, cardiomyopathies and hypertension are distinguished. In addition, paroxysmal tachycardias develop without organic damage to the myocardium. So, they can be observed with neurocirculatory dystonia, the abuse of coffee or alcohol, with hormonal disorders.

There are the following types of this heart rhythm disorder:

• supraventricular - characterized by the formation of an ectopic focus in the atrioventricular node or in the atria (paroxysmal atrial tachycardia);
• if additional impulses come from the ventricles, then this indicates the development of the ventricular paroxysmal rhythm of the heart.

Clinical manifestations

Приступ такой тахикардии возникает и исчезает suddenly. It lasts from a few seconds to several days. The patient experiences a sudden push in the heart, which turns into a pronounced heartbeat and discomfort in the chest. Sometimes patients report heart pain and shortness of breath. Quite often paroxysmal tachycardias are accompanied by general weakness and dizziness. Sometimes there is an increase in blood pressure, a feeling of lack of air or coma in the throat. Excessive urination may occur after the end of the attack.

Реже при пароксизмальной тахикардии наблюдаются neurological symptoms in the form of aphasia and hemiparesis. There may also be manifestations of autonomic dysfunction. Patients complain of nausea and sweating, low-grade fever and flatulence. After an attack, polyuria is characteristic, urine is excreted in low density. Prolonged paroxysmal tachycardias are manifested by a decrease in blood pressure, weakness and loss of consciousness.

Treatment

With paroxysmal tachycardia, you can tryeliminate the attack with the help of reflex methods. So, you can hold a massage in the carotid sinus area, hold your breath and immerse your face in cold water for 30 seconds, inflate a balloon or press the eyeballs with moderate force.

Drug therapy involves takingspecial drugs. The most commonly prescribed drugs are Novocinamide, Propafenone, Amiodarone, Verapamil. With the ineffectiveness of pharmacological treatment, electric defibrillation is resorted to, especially when it comes to coronary insufficiency or arrhythmic collapse.

When severe paroxysmal arisestachycardia, the operation is effective because it involves the isolation or direct removal of the ectopic focus in the heart. Surgical treatment is also indicated for frequent recurrences of the disease and the ineffectiveness of antiarrhythmic drugs.