Supraventricular Tachycardia as a Cardiopulmonary Stress Response to Traumatic Chylopneumothorax and Diaphragmatic Hernia: A Case Report
- 1General Practitioner, Dr. Ario Wirawan Lung Hospital, Salatiga/Medical Doctor, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, Indonesia
- 2Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Dr. Ario Wirawan Lung Hospital, Salatiga, Indonesia
- 3Medical Doctor, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia
Abstract
Background: Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) is a heart rhythm disorder characterized by an increased heart rate originating from the Atrioventricular (AV) node in the atrium. It is characterized by an Electrocardiography (ECG) tracing showing a narrow QRS complex (<120 ms) and a rapid, regular heartbeat. Blunt trauma to the thoracoabdominal region can cause diaphragmatic hernia and chylopneumothorax. Both conditions could escalate the progression of cardiopulmonary stress, such as heart rhythm disturbance (arrhythmia).
Case Illustration: We report a case of a 30-year-old woman who presented to the Emergency Room with sudden palpitations 1 day ago. Physical examination revealed a restless appearance (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] E4V5M6), blood pressure 146/94 mmHg, pulse rate 155 beats per minute (bpm), respiratory rate 30 bpm, temperature 36 °C, and saturation 95% on room air. In the thoracic region, dull percussion was found in the lower left hemithorax, decreased left lung base sounds, bowel sounds were heard, and tenderness was observed in the left costovertebral angle in the abdominal region. ECG examination showed the presence of SVT with a heart rate of 176 bpm. The patient was initially managed by performing a vagal maneuver, but it failed. The patient was then transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), underwent further diagnostic examinations, and received further therapy.
Conclusions: SVT in patients with thoracoabdominal trauma is not a primary cardiac abnormality, but rather an indicator of life-threatening trauma-related cardiopulmonary compromise. Clinicians need to recognize the importance of timely and appropriate intervention, along with adequate cardiopulmonary support, to improve patient outcomes.
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BibTeX
@article{musa2026supraventricular,
title = {{Supraventricular Tachycardia as a Cardiopulmonary Stress Response to Traumatic Chylopneumothorax and Diaphragmatic Hernia: A Case Report}},
author = {Irse Priyaganda Bani Musa and Irma Kamelia Pratiwi and Windy Patadungan and Natya Tasya and Nurlita Asri Adriani},
journal = {Majalah Kardiologi Indonesia},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.30701/ijc.2041},
url = {https://doi.org/10.30701/ijc.2041},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Supraventricular Tachycardia as a Cardiopulmonary Stress Response to Traumatic Chylopneumothorax and Diaphragmatic Hernia: A Case Report
AU - Irse Priyaganda Bani Musa
AU - Irma Kamelia Pratiwi
AU - Windy Patadungan
AU - Natya Tasya
AU - Nurlita Asri Adriani
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/25
JO - Majalah Kardiologi Indonesia
DO - 10.30701/ijc.2041
UR - https://doi.org/10.30701/ijc.2041
AB - Background: Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) is a heart rhythm disorder characterized by an increased heart rate originating from the Atrioventricular (AV) node in the atrium. It is characterized by an Electrocardiography (ECG) tracing showing a narrow QRS complex (<120 ms) and a rapid, regular heartbeat. Blunt trauma to the thoracoabdominal region can cause diaphragmatic hernia and chylopneumothorax. Both conditions could escalate the progression of cardiopulmonary stress, such as heart rhythm disturbance (arrhythmia). Case Illustration: We report a case of a 30-year-old woman who presented to the Emergency Room with sudden palpitations 1 day ago. Physical examination revealed a restless appearance (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] E4V5M6), blood pressure 146/94 mmHg, pulse rate 155 beats per minute (bpm), respiratory rate 30 bpm, temperature 36 °C, and saturation 95% on room air. In the thoracic region, dull percussion was found in the lower left hemithorax, decreased left lung base sounds, bowel sounds were heard, and tenderness was observed in the left costovertebral angle in the abdominal region. ECG examination showed the presence of SVT with a heart rate of 176 bpm. The patient was initially managed by performing a vagal maneuver, but it failed. The patient was then transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), underwent further diagnostic examinations, and received further therapy. Conclusions: SVT in patients with thoracoabdominal trauma is not a primary cardiac abnormality, but rather an indicator of life-threatening trauma-related cardiopulmonary compromise. Clinicians need to recognize the importance of timely and appropriate intervention, along with adequate cardiopulmonary support, to improve patient outcomes.
SN - 0126-3773
SN - 2620-4762
ER -