What are the P waves like in SVT?

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Multiple Choice

What are the P waves like in SVT?

SVT is a rapid, regular rhythm that starts above the ventricles. At these fast heart rates, atrial depolarization and ventricular depolarization happen so close together that the P wave often merges with the QRS or falls within the preceding/wrapping T wave, making a distinct P wave hard to see. That’s why the P waves are absent on the tracing in typical SVT. If a P wave is seen, it’s usually buried or retrograde, but the hallmark for this rhythm is no separate P wave. In contrast, sawtooth waves point to atrial flutter, and normal P waves would suggest sinus rhythm rather than SVT.

SVT is a rapid, regular rhythm that starts above the ventricles. At these fast heart rates, atrial depolarization and ventricular depolarization happen so close together that the P wave often merges with the QRS or falls within the preceding/wrapping T wave, making a distinct P wave hard to see. That’s why the P waves are absent on the tracing in typical SVT. If a P wave is seen, it’s usually buried or retrograde, but the hallmark for this rhythm is no separate P wave. In contrast, sawtooth waves point to atrial flutter, and normal P waves would suggest sinus rhythm rather than SVT.

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