Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) Practice Test

What class of drugs is typically used to treat SVT?

1. Beta blockers

2. Anticoagulants

3. Calcium channel blockers

4. Diuretics

The correct answer is: Beta blockers

The class of drugs most commonly used to treat supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is beta blockers. Beta blockers work by blocking the effects of adrenaline on the beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart, which helps to slow down the heart rate and reduce the heart's workload. Their ability to decrease the automaticity and conduction velocity within the heart's electrical conduction system makes them particularly effective in managing SVT episodes. In the context of SVT, controlling heart rate and restoring normal rhythm is essential. Beta blockers can help achieve this by decreasing the excitability of the cardiac tissue, especially in the atrial and nodal tissues, which are often implicated in SVT. While other drug classes have roles in cardiac management, they are not the primary treatment for SVT. Anticoagulants are generally used to prevent thromboembolism rather than to treat the arrhythmia itself. Calcium channel blockers can also be effective in managing certain types of arrhythmias, including SVT, but beta blockers are typically preferred. Diuretics primarily address fluid management and hypertension rather than directly managing heart rhythm disturbances.