Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewSymptomsDifferencesTreatment

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Overview

Symptoms

Differences

Treatment

Sinus nodal reentrant tachycardia (also called SNRT or SANRT) is one of the arrhythmias categorized assupraventricular tachycardia (SVT), which are rapid heart arrhythmias originating in the atria of the heart. Sinus nodal reentrant tachycardia is an uncommon form of SVT.

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Doctor analyzes the electrocardiogram results, close-up. Diagnosis of arrhythmia, heart rate and heart disease

Sinus nodal reentrant tachycardia is a reentrant tachycardia. It occurs because there is an extra electrical connection within the heart, which may be present from birth.

In sinus nodal reentrant tachycardia, the extra connection—and indeed the entire reentrant circuit that produces the arrhythmia—is located within the tiny sinus node.

The symptoms of SNRT are similar to the symptoms most often seen with any kind of SVT. Symptoms may include palpitations, lightheadedness, or dizziness.

As with most SVTs, symptoms usually begin abruptly and without any particular warning. They also disappear equally abruptly—most often after a few minutes to several hours.

Differences From Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia

Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST)is similar to sinus nodal reentrant tachycardia since both of these arrhythmias arise from the sinus node. However, their characteristics differ.

Sinus nodal reentrant tachycardia is a reentrant tachycardia, so it starts and stops abruptly, like turning on and off a light switch; and when the patient is not having an active episode of tachycardia, their heart rate and heart rhythm remain entirely normal.

In contrast, IST is an automatic tachycardia. Consequently, it does not start and stop abruptly but rather, it more gradually accelerates and gradually decelerates.

Also, the heart rate in most people with IST often is never actually entirely “normal.” Instead, the heart rate almost always remains at least somewhat elevated, even when it is producing no symptoms.

If more intensive treatment is required—either because of frequent episodes or difficulty terminating episodes—drug therapy can be effective. Medicines like beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers may reduce the frequency of episodes and/or make them easier to stop. However, the European Society of Cardiology does note that no scientific studies have been conducted on drug therapy for SANRT.

If sinus nodal reentrant tachycardia is particularly troublesome or does not respond to less invasive therapy, ablation therapy is often effective in getting rid of the arrhythmia altogether and safely.

Thus, attempts to find noninvasive therapy are reasonable to consider before undergoing ablation therapy for sinus nodal reentrant tachycardia.

2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Brugada J, Katritsis DG, Arbelo E, et al.2019 ESC Guidelines for the management of patients with supraventricular tachycardia.European Heart Journal. 2020;41(5):655-720. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehz467Olshansky B.Sinus node-related tachycardias: physiological sinus tachycardia, inappropriate sinus tachycardia, sinus node reentrant tachycardia, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.In:ESC CardioMed. Oxford University Press; 2018:2066-2069. doi:10.1093/med/9780198784906.003.0483Additional ReadingFogoros RN, Mandrola JM.The electrophysiology study in the evaluation of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. In:Fogoros’ Electrophysiologic Testing, 6th, John Wiley & Sons, Oxford; 2017:107-166. doi:10.1002/9781119235767.ch6Page RL, Joglar JA, Caldwell MA, et al.2015 ACC/AHA/HRS Guideline for the Management Of Adult Patients With Supraventricular Tachycardia.Heart Rhythm2016; 13:e136. doi:10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.09.019

2 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Brugada J, Katritsis DG, Arbelo E, et al.2019 ESC Guidelines for the management of patients with supraventricular tachycardia.European Heart Journal. 2020;41(5):655-720. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehz467Olshansky B.Sinus node-related tachycardias: physiological sinus tachycardia, inappropriate sinus tachycardia, sinus node reentrant tachycardia, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.In:ESC CardioMed. Oxford University Press; 2018:2066-2069. doi:10.1093/med/9780198784906.003.0483Additional ReadingFogoros RN, Mandrola JM.The electrophysiology study in the evaluation of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. In:Fogoros’ Electrophysiologic Testing, 6th, John Wiley & Sons, Oxford; 2017:107-166. doi:10.1002/9781119235767.ch6Page RL, Joglar JA, Caldwell MA, et al.2015 ACC/AHA/HRS Guideline for the Management Of Adult Patients With Supraventricular Tachycardia.Heart Rhythm2016; 13:e136. doi:10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.09.019

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Brugada J, Katritsis DG, Arbelo E, et al.2019 ESC Guidelines for the management of patients with supraventricular tachycardia.European Heart Journal. 2020;41(5):655-720. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehz467Olshansky B.Sinus node-related tachycardias: physiological sinus tachycardia, inappropriate sinus tachycardia, sinus node reentrant tachycardia, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.In:ESC CardioMed. Oxford University Press; 2018:2066-2069. doi:10.1093/med/9780198784906.003.0483

Brugada J, Katritsis DG, Arbelo E, et al.2019 ESC Guidelines for the management of patients with supraventricular tachycardia.European Heart Journal. 2020;41(5):655-720. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehz467

Olshansky B.Sinus node-related tachycardias: physiological sinus tachycardia, inappropriate sinus tachycardia, sinus node reentrant tachycardia, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.In:ESC CardioMed. Oxford University Press; 2018:2066-2069. doi:10.1093/med/9780198784906.003.0483

Fogoros RN, Mandrola JM.The electrophysiology study in the evaluation of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. In:Fogoros’ Electrophysiologic Testing, 6th, John Wiley & Sons, Oxford; 2017:107-166. doi:10.1002/9781119235767.ch6Page RL, Joglar JA, Caldwell MA, et al.2015 ACC/AHA/HRS Guideline for the Management Of Adult Patients With Supraventricular Tachycardia.Heart Rhythm2016; 13:e136. doi:10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.09.019

Fogoros RN, Mandrola JM.The electrophysiology study in the evaluation of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. In:Fogoros’ Electrophysiologic Testing, 6th, John Wiley & Sons, Oxford; 2017:107-166. doi:10.1002/9781119235767.ch6

Page RL, Joglar JA, Caldwell MA, et al.2015 ACC/AHA/HRS Guideline for the Management Of Adult Patients With Supraventricular Tachycardia.Heart Rhythm2016; 13:e136. doi:10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.09.019

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