Paroxysmal tachycardia: causes, symptoms, and treatment

Paroxysmal tachycardia is a sharp and sudden acceleration of the heartbeat. It is associated with the influence of the ectopic focus, which generates impulses for myocardial contraction.

Causes and types

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

The following types of this disturbance of the heart rhythm are distinguished:

• 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

The attack of such a tachycardia arises and disappears suddenly. It lasts from a few seconds to several days. The patient experiences a sudden push in the region of the heart, which passes into a marked palpitation and unpleasant sensations in the chest. Sometimes patients notice pain in the heart 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 a coma in the throat. May develop excessive urination after the end of the attack.

Less often, with paroxysmal tachycardia, neurologic symptoms are observed in the form of aphasia and hemiparesis. There may also be manifestations of autonomic dysfunction. Patients at the same time complain of nausea and sweating, subfebrile temperature and flatulence. After an attack, polyuria is typical, urine is released at a low density. Prolonged paroxysmal tachycardias are manifested by a decrease in blood pressure, weakness and loss of consciousness.

Treatment

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

Drug therapy includes the use of special medicines. The most commonly prescribed drugs are Novokainamid, Propafenone, Amiodarone, Verapamil. If pharmacological treatment is ineffective, electric defibrillation is used, especially in cases where coronary insufficiency or arrhythmic collapse develops.

When severe paroxysmal tachycardia occurs, the operation is effective because it involves the isolation or direct removal of the ectopic focus in the heart. Surgical treatment is also indicated with frequent relapses of the disease and inefficiency of antiarrhythmic drugs.