What Determines the Choice of Treatment in Patients with Supraventricular Tachycardia?

Abstract

I have outlined the approach to therapy of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias practiced by a cardiologist who is not performing special studies in the cardiac electrophysiology laboratory. This review includes the list of common and rare supraventricular arrhythmias, application of diagnostic noninvasive procedures, indications for referral for special electrophysiologic studies, and brief description of drugs and procedures used in the therapy of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. In addition to general guidelines for treatment of these arrhythmias, I have outlined specific recommendations for patients with acute myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, ventricular dysfunction and congestive heart failure, obstructive cardiomyopathy, hyperthyroidism, AV accessory pathways, chronic obstructive lung disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, concomitant ventricular arrhythmias, tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome, and anxiety.