Should radiofrequency therapy be performed in every symptomatic patient with supraventricular tachycardia? (Pro drug position).
The indication for treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia depends on the frequency and severity of the tachycardia attacks. If the tachycardia attacks are mildly symptomatic and occur only once or twice a year, there is no indication for either continuous drug therapy or radiofrequency ablation. The only therapeutic measure required is termination of each acute event. If symptoms occur frequently, long-term antiarrhythmic drug therapy is then indicated and will be effective for chronic prophylaxis in most individuals with a low risk of proarrhythmic events. Only in patients with severe or life-threatening symptoms or cases refractory to drug therapy would radiofrequency ablation possibly be justified.
Andresen
D
D
Klinikum Steglitz, Free University of Berlin, Germany.
Behrens
S
S
Brüggemann
T
T
Schröder
R
R
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D006801:Humans; D013611:Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents