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

Shwitah, Amany Khaled Mohamed; Bahgat, Rahma Soliman; El Amrousy, Doaa Mohamed; Esmail Magor, Nagwa Ramadan

doi:10.21608/tsnj.2025.435928

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

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Demonstrator of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt

² Professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt.

³ Professor of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt

⁴ Assistant professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt.

10.21608/tsnj.2025.435928

Abstract

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