Effect of Implementing Carotid Massage versus Ice Bag Maneuver on Clinical Outcomes for Children with Supraventricular Tachycardia

Background: Supraventricular tachycardia is an emergency condition in childrenthat requires a professional management, as it may lead to serious complications suchas hemodynamic compromise resulting in syncope, shock, or even congestive heartfailure and death. Aime of the present study was to evaluate the effect ofimplementing carotid massage versus ice bag maneuver on clinical outcomes forchildren with supraventricular tachycardia. Subjects and method: A purposivesampling of 60 children with stable supraventricular tachycardia divided into twoequal groups; carotid massage and ice bag maneuver group. Setting: Pediatricmedical department including pediatric emergency and cardiac intensive care units ofTanta University Main Hospital. Two tools were used: Tool (I) Supraventriculartachycardia assessment of children. Tool (II): Assessment of children’s clinicaloutcomes. Results: Statistically significant differences were found in the mean scoresregarding children’s heart rate within the two groups before, immediate and 15minutes after the intervention. Also, it was found that the return of children’s heartrhythm to normal, immediately after implementing each maneuver, was higher incarotid massage group compared to children in ice bag group. Conclusion: Despitethe opportunity for improvement exists with both maneuvers (carotid massage and icebag maneuver), however the carotid massage has achieved a higher success rate ofSVT conversion to normal heart rhythm than the ice bag maneuver. So, carotidmassage is considered more effective in reducing the need for treatment escalation forchildren with stable SVT. Recommendation: Carotid massage and ice bag maneuvershould be integrated in the urgent management of stable SVT in children, withproviding training to pediatric cardiac intensive care unit nurses and children’scaregivers as well