orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia
Pronunciation: or-tho-DROM-ik
Also written as: ORT — Orthodromic Reciprocating Tachycardia
A reentrant supraventricular tachycardia utilizing antegrade conduction through the AV node and retrograde conduction through an accessory pathway.
Full Definition
Orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia (ORT) is the most common form of reentrant supraventricular tachycardia in patients with accessory pathways. The reentrant circuit involves antegrade (forward) conduction from atria to ventricles through the AV node and His-Purkinje system, and retrograde conduction from ventricles to atria through the accessory pathway. This creates a narrow QRS tachycardia since ventricular activation occurs through the normal conduction system. The accessory pathway may be concealed (only conducts retrogradely) or manifest with delta waves during sinus rhythm. ORT accounts for the majority of tachycardia episodes in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as ORT; distinguish from antidromic reciprocating tachycardia which has wide QRS.
In Context
- "The narrow QRS tachycardia with retrograde P waves in the ST segment was consistent with orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia." — ECG interpretation
- "Catheter ablation of the left lateral accessory pathway eliminated the patient's recurrent orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia." — Ablation procedure report