Association between immediate termination of supraventricular tachycardia by carotid sinus pressure and carotid sinus hypersensitivity.

An association between rapid reversion of supraventricular tachycardia by carotid sinus stimulation and carotid sinus reflex hypersensitivity during sinus rhythm is described in a 55-year-old patient. The findings indicate that a high level of vagal tone facilitates vagal maneuvers in terminating some supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. The briskness of the response during tachycardia may also be a marker for underlying carotid sinus hypersensitivity.