Your EP team may prescribe medication for treatment. Medication is not a cure but can decrease the number of episodes and help to control symptoms. In most cases, these medications are taken daily.
An EP Study and ablation is a curative procedure for SVT.
The vagus nerve is a nerve in the body that can affect the heart rate. When it is stimulated, the heart rate can slow down. Certain maneuvers, called vagal maneuvers, are designed to stop the SVT by stimulating the vagus nerve.
For older children, vagal maneuvers include:
- "Bearing down": pretending as if you are having a bowel movement - blowing on your thumb
- Doing a headstand, if you already know how to do one.
- Putting very cold water/ice on your face
For babies or young children who can't follow these directions, vagal maneuvers include:
- Place an ice pack over the eyes for 15-30 sec. A frozen bag of vegetables works really well. Avoid placing anything around the infant's nose.
- Pressing the infant's knees to the chest for 15-30 seconds
If the episode lasts a long time, your child is ill or has fainted or you don't feel comfortable doing these maneuvers at home, you can call your doctor or go to an emergency room. If your child appears very ill, you should call 911. In the emergency room, your child may receive an intravenous (IV) medication to stop the SVT. If the medication is not successful and your child remains ill, a brief electrical shock (cardioversion), may be required. This is usually done while your child is sedated.
