Difference Between VT and SVT

VT vs SVT

Cardiac arrhythmias are one of the most dangerous things that can happen in a person who has and has not had any history of heart disease. This usually happens in patients with heart disease such as those who had a heart attack, stroke, or hypertension.

“VT” and “SVT” stand for “ventricular tachycardia” and “supraventricular tachycardia.” “Tachycardia” stands for a pulse rate more than 100 beats per minute. “Ventricular” means the ventricles of the heart are the ones contracting. When this happens, this is the most dangerous type of cardiac arrhythmias since this may cause a heart attack.

VT and SVT can be assessed using an ECG or echocardiography. With this device, nodes are attached to different areas of the chest and then a graph is being emitted. Medical workers can also use cardiac monitors in order for them to monitor the heart patterns continuously. By this, doctors and nurses can see immediately the heart patterns on the screen.

Several differences can be distinguished between VT and SVT which requires a familiarity between the differences between these two arrhythmias as well as the appropriate treatments. In SVT, AV-node drugs would work in normalizing the dysrhythmias. However, in VT, it won’t work as it would worsen the condition of the patient.

Several factors will take place in the incidence of VT such as Northwest axis, complexes that are extremely broad in deviation, P waves, and QRS complexes that have different rates. There are also fusion beats that produce hybrid complexes. Capture beats are evident as well. Brugada sign and Josephson’s sign will also make VT more likely to occur. Several factors will also result in VT such as an age of more than 35 years old, ischemia, history of heart attack, CHF, enlargement of the heart, and lastly, a family history of instant cardiac death.

In SVT, if there are short PR intervals of less than 120 milliseconds, QRS complexes that are broad and a delta wave, then this can be an SVT dysrhythmia. A patient can also develop SVT if he or she had a paroxysmal tachycardia.

If a person experiences intense palpitations that are more than 100 beats per minute, he or she should already go to the nearest hospital as this may lead to VT or SVT. As we all know, prevention is better than the cure. And whenever we talk about the heart, it is one of the most important organs that we should focus on.

Summary:

1. “VT” stands for “ventricular tachycardia” while “SVT” stands for “supraventricular tachycardia.”
2. In SVT, AV-node drugs would work in normalizing the dysrhythmias. However, in VT, it won’t work as it would worsen the condition of the patient.
3. In VT, Brugada sign, Josephson’s sign, etc. are evident while SVT, broad QRS complexes, a PR interval of less than 120 ms, etc. can be seen on the screen.

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