Etiopathogenetic aspects of supraventricular tachycardia in young people

Abstract

Background. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is the most common arrhythmia diagnosed in young people. The prevalence of SVT in young adults is about 2,29/1000 people, with a higher incidence in women vs men. Studying the etiology of SVT is essential for optimizing diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment. Objective(s). Studying data from the scientific medical literature regarding the etiological and predisposing factors involved in the pathophysiology of supraventricular tachycardia in young people. Materials and methods. A systematic review of the National Library of Medicine and the International Institutes of Health MEDLINE was performed, using the authentic databases UpToDate, Embase, and PubMed, to search for works focused on etiopathogenetic aspects of supraventricular tachycardia in young people. 32 bibliographic sources were analyzed. Results.SVT is the result of reentry circuits, abnormal automatism or trigger-driven activity. Factors contributing to SVT in young people include: congenital heart defects (WolffParkinson-White Syndrome, Ebstein's anomaly, atrial septal defects, valvulopathies, which create abnormal electrical pathways), electrolyte imbalances, genetic predisposition, female gender, stress, anxiety, alcohol, caffeine, medications, smoking, physical exertion, thyroid pathologies, cardiac (coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular diseases, cardiomyopathy, heart surgery), pulmonary pathologies, DM, pregnancy, dehydration, recreational drugs. Conclusion(s). SVT in young people is characterized by a wide spectrum of etiological and risk factors, which requires a multidisciplinary medical approach, including education, counseling, promotion of a healthy lifestyle, in order to increase the quality of life and decrease the risk of complications.