What is the primary approach for managing Stable Supraventricular Tachycardia?

The primary approach for managing stable supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) involves the use of vagal maneuvers and potentially the administration of adenosine. Vagal maneuvers, such as the Valsalva maneuver or carotid sinus massage, are techniques designed to stimulate the vagus nerve, which can help to slow down the heart rate by promoting a decrease in the conduction through the atrioventricular (AV) node. These maneuvers can effectively terminate some forms of SVT.

If vagal maneuvers are unsuccessful or if the patient is still symptomatic, the next step often includes the administration of adenosine, a medication that temporarily blocks conduction through the AV node. This can interrupt the reentrant circuits that cause SVT, leading to a restoration of normal sinus rhythm.

While synchronized cardioversion is an important intervention for unstable patients experiencing SVT, it is not the first-line treatment for those who are stable. Anticoagulant therapy and immediate defibrillation are more relevant to other cardiac conditions such as atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response or ventricular fibrillation, respectively, rather than stable SVT. Understanding the appropriate interventions based on the patient's hemodynamic stability is crucial in