title: Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in an octogenarian.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia is a common dysrhythmia that occurs at all ages. Its management is determined by presenting symptoms and previous history of the patient. Patients present with a continuum of symptoms ranging from palpitations to syncope. The incidence of supraventricular tachycardia increases with age.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the etiology, precipitating factors, and acute management of supraventricular tachycardia; and to discuss nodal reentry circuits and representative electrocardiographic findings.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present the case of an 84-year-old man with gallstone pancreatitis, choledolcholithiasis, and cholecystitis complicated by paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. We review this dysrhythmia, emphasizing its significance in elderly patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Supraventricular tachycardia is a common dysrhythmia that can result in syncope or myocardial infarction. We present a case of an elderly man with new-onset atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentry tachycardia, possibly precipitated by overdrive of his autonomic nervous system due to pain and infection. As the percentage of the elderly in our population is growing rapidly and the incidence of AV nodal reentry tachycardia increases with age, emergency physicians should be familiar with this dysrhythmia-its etiology, precipitating factors, presentations, and treatment. It will present more frequently in the future.
authors: VA New York Harbor Healthcare Center, New York, New York, USA.
authors: Nancy
authors: N
authors: Lutwak
authors: Curt
authors: C
authors: Dill
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D000241:Adenosine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001066:Appetite; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000150:complications; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000150:complications; D004562:Electrocardiography; D042882:Gallstones / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology; D013611:Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000241:Adenosine