Supraventricular tachycardia in infancy and childhood.

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is the most common arrhythmia in the pediatric population. Despite its commonality, presentation of SVT can be nonspecific and varies based upon age with infants demonstrating fussiness or irritability and older children reporting vague perceptions of tachycardia or palpitations. Furthermore, SVT may manifest as self-limited paroxysms or with prolonged runs of SVT with subsequent development of cardiac dysfunction, heart failure, and multiorgan shock. Clinicians must maintain high levels of suspicion for SVT given the potentially dire consequences of untreated SVT. When diagnosed, there are effective acute and chronic treatments for SVT, with potential for spontaneous resolution in many infants. Copyright 2014, SLACK Incorporated.