title: Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. Pharmacologic versus nonpharmacologic approaches.
abstract: Nonpharmacologic approaches to the long-term management of SVTs have evolved rapidly and now offer to patients a safe, effective alternative for symptomatic relief from many SVTs. By far, radiofrequency catheter ablation, a technology less than 10 years old, offers the least invasive and most cost-effective nonpharmacologic alternative for many SVTs. Knowledge gained through electrophysiologic and ablation studies has enlarged the understanding of SVTs and may enable electrophysiologists to approach the more common and morbid condition of atrial fibrillation. From a societal standpoint, catheter ablation can remain a cost-effective mode of treatment if patient selection is stringent. The next 10 years should see further refinement in technique and in understanding of SVTs, improved technology, and enlarging applications of radiofrequency energy to cure or modify cardiac arrhythmias.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Sung
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents