Handstands: a treatment for supraventricular tachycardia?

Arch Dis Child. 2015 Jan;100(1):54-5. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2014-306949. Epub 2014 Oct 14.

Abstract

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is the most common symptomatic tachyarrhythmia in childhood. Treatment involves vagal manoeuvres, pharmacological agents or electrical cardioversion. We report a child with recurrent SVT secondary to Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome who is consistently able to revert her SVT by doing a handstand. This case highlights a simple non-invasive technique for the treatment of SVT.

Keywords: Accident & Emergency; Cardiology; Paediatric Practice.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena*
  • Tachycardia, Supraventricular / etiology
  • Tachycardia, Supraventricular / therapy*
  • Vagus Nerve Stimulation / methods*
  • Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / complications*
  • Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / therapy