AV Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia

Atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentrant tachycardia, or AVNRT, is a condition in which the heart’s rhythm is too fast. It is one of several types of tachycardia (fast rhythm) of the heart. It also is a type of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), meaning that it originates from a location within the heart above the bundle of heart muscle cells that help control the heart’s rhythm. AVNRT is the most common type of supraventricular tachycardia, and it is more common in women than men (approximately 75% of cases occur in females). The main symptom is heart palpitations, which is a sensation that feels like the heart is beating too hard, fluttering, or skipping a beat. Treatments vary but include medication or, in some cases, electric shocks designed to restore a normal heart rhythm (a treatment called cardioversion). Frequent AVNRT attacks may require a treatment called radiofrequency ablation, in which the tissue in the heart that is causing the fast rhythm is destroyed.

Why UAB

UAB Heart & Vascular Services delivers optimal patient care for heart rhythm disorders. You will be cared for by regional and world leaders in the treatment of heart arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia, and other heart rhythm abnormalities.

Our physicians evaluate the newest treatments and technologies and author professional publications that advance the field of arrhythmia treatment. Their extensive experience and academic backgrounds ensure that they are familiar with all types of heart rhythm disorders. Our academic medical center performs more than 600 heart rhythm-related procedures each year, and our success in treating all types of complex arrhythmias is well-documented. Our electrophysiologists have access to the UAB Heart and Vascular Center, one of the largest of its kind in the Southeast. It features the most advanced technology available, including four procedural suites dedicated to electrophysiology (the electrical signals in the heart). At UAB Medicine you are part of a program that carries out pioneering work in atrial fibrillation and advanced pacemaker and cardioverter defibrillator design.

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Take a video tour of the UAB Heart & Vascular Clinic at Acton Road.

Understand the risk factors and symptoms of heart arrhythmias, and when it is important for you to see a doctor.

PHYSICIANS

William Randolph Maddox
William Randolph Maddox
Tom McElderry, MD
Tom McElderry, MD
Vance J. Plumb, MD
Vance J. Plumb, MD

Related Conditions

Listed below are some conditions that may be related to or share some similarities with the condition addressed on this page.

Related Treatments

There are several ways to diagnose and treat this condition. The team at UAB Medicine will work with you to develop an appropriate care plan for you that may include medical and surgical procedures and treatments listed below.

CLINICAL TRIALS

UAB is an active participant in research and clinical trials for the diagnosis and treatment of AV Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia. We encourage you to speak to your physician about research and clinical trial options and browse the link below for more information.

View Clinical Trials