reentrant tachycardia
A rapid heart rhythm caused by electrical impulses circulating in a loop within the heart's conduction system.
Full Definition
Reentrant tachycardia is a mechanism of arrhythmia where electrical impulses travel in a circular pathway, repeatedly activating the same cardiac tissue. This occurs when there is a combination of slow conduction, unidirectional block, and an anatomical or functional circuit that allows the impulse to return to its point of origin. Common examples include atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT), atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT), and atrial flutter. Reentrant circuits can often be successfully treated with catheter ablation by interrupting the circuit pathway.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate as 'reentrant tachycardia' not 're-entrant tachycardia'.
In Context
- "The electrophysiology study confirmed reentrant tachycardia involving the slow-fast pathway." — EP study report
- "Successful ablation of the reentrant circuit terminated the patient's recurrent palpitations." — Procedure outcome