Supraventricular tachycardia in infants: use of the "diving reflex".
The effectiveness of the "diving reflex" in treating paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) in 10 infants aged under 6 months is demonstrated. No rhythm disturbances were encountered during the maneuver, even in patients receiving digitalis. The recommended water temperature is 5 degrees C and the total time of facial immersion, between 6 and 7 seconds. The diving reflex might be considered the first therapeutic approach in infants under 6 months old with PSVT.
D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007101:Immersion; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012018:Reflex; D013614:Tachycardia, Paroxysmal / Q000628:therapy*; D014661:Vasoconstriction