Initial approach to the child with tachycardia*

HF: heart failure; SVT: supraventricular tachycardia; VT: ventricular tachycardia.
* Also refer to UpToDate content on pediatric tachycardia, shock in children, and pediatric advanced life support.
¶ Causes of VT/torsades de pointes include prolonged QT syndrome, drug toxicity (cyclic antidepressants), myocarditis, structural heart disease, and electrolyte disturbance (hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia).
Δ Causes of SVT include structural heart disease, WPW, and drugs (eg, sympathomimetics).