PSVTtä

PSVTtä is a Finnish term used in some medical texts to denote paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), a rapid heart rate that arises from above the ventricles and begins and ends abruptly. Attacks are typically sudden in onset and termination, and rates commonly range from 150 to 250 beats per minute during episodes.

PSVTtä encompasses several arrhythmias, most notably AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT), atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT) through an accessory pathway, and focal atrial tachycardia. Triggers can include caffeine, alcohol, stress, dehydration, sleep deprivation, or underlying heart disease. In many people, episodes occur sporadically and without warning.

Symptoms during a PSVTtä episode usually include a rapid, regular pulse, lightheadedness or dizziness, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or near-fainting. Between episodes, heart rhythm is often normal and asymptomatic. Diagnosis is most reliable when an episode is captured on electrocardiography, during inpatient telemetry, or with a portable Holter or event monitor. An electrophysiology study may be used to map the circuit before ablation.

Treatment aims to terminate an episode promptly and prevent recurrences. Acute management includes vagal maneuvers and, in many cases, adenosine to transiently slow the AV node. For prevention, beta-blockers or non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers may be used, and catheter ablation offers a curative option for many patients, particularly those with AVNRT or AVRT. Lifestyle adjustments and management of triggers can reduce episodes.

Prognosis is generally favorable, with many patients achieving long-term freedom from episodes after ablation. In Finland and other Finnish-speaking regions, PSVTtä is the common descriptive term for this group of tachycardias.