AEMCA Practice Exam

At what stage of PSVT can hypotension occur?

1. Only at the beginning

2. During prolonged episodes

3. It never occurs with PSVT

4. Just after treatment

The correct answer is: During prolonged episodes

Hypotension can occur during prolonged episodes of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) due to the sustained high heart rate that characterizes this condition. When the heart beats too quickly, it may not have enough time to fill with blood between contractions, leading to reduced stroke volume. This can result in inadequate blood flow being delivered to the body's organs, ultimately causing a drop in blood pressure. Additionally, with prolonged tachycardia, the heart muscle can become less effective over time, further contributing to the risk of hypotension. Thus, it's essential to recognize that while hypotension is not an immediate concern at the onset of PSVT, it can develop if the episode lasts long enough, necessitating observation and potential management in patients experiencing prolonged episodes. Other options suggest scenarios where hypotension either does not occur or is incorrectly attributed to specific timing in relation to treatment or the onset of PSVT, which does not accurately reflect the physiological response during extended episodes of this arrhythmia.