AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT)
Also calledAVNRT · AV nodal reentry tachycardia · AV nodal reentrant tachycardia · nodal reentry
Definition
The most common regular paroxysmal SVT, caused by reentry within the AV node using functionally distinct slow and fast pathways rather than an accessory pathway. In the typical (slow-fast) form, conduction descends the slow pathway and returns up the fast pathway, so the atria and ventricles activate almost simultaneously and the retrograde P wave is buried in or just after the QRS (often producing a pseudo-R' in V1 or pseudo-S in the inferior leads). The QRS is narrow, and the rate is often 180 to 200 bpm but ranges from about 110 to over 250 bpm.
Sources
- Page RL, Joglar JA, Caldwell MA, et al. 2015 ACC/AHA/HRS guideline for the management of adult patients with supraventricular tachycardia. Circulation. 2016;133(14):e506-e574. doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000311
- Esberger D, Jones S, Morris F. ABC of clinical electrocardiography: junctional tachycardias. BMJ. 2002;324(7338):662-665. doi.org/10.1136/bmj.324.7338.662
Last reviewed 2 October 2026. Every definition in the EKG Dictionary cites the guideline, consensus statement or original paper it comes from.