Supraventricular Tachycardia Due to Blunt Abdominal Trauma in a Pediatric Patient

Abstract

Patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with traumatic injuries constitute one of the leading causes of morbidity and death, mainly due to hemorrhagic shock.Whether due to penetrating or blunt injury,management ofhemorrhagic shock, usually presenting initially as sinus tachycardia, remains the priority in the ED. Although there maybe other causes for tachycardia following trauma, it is important to recognize and treat hemorrhagic shock immediately and efficiently. In thiscase study,a unique pediatric case of blunt abdominal trauma and splenic injury with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) presented to the ED of the Bahrain Defense Force Hospital (BDF). Hemorrhagic shock with tachycardia followeda handlebar injury to the abdomen, and continued persistent tachycardia was observed despitethe aggressive management of hemorrhagic shock. An electrocardiogram (ECG) was done to confirm the diagnosis of SVT, following which the case was appropriately managed and reverted to normal sinus rhythm.