Long-term efficacy and safety of atenolol for supraventricular tachycardia in children.
Propranolol, a first-generation nonselective beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent, is commonly used to treat pediatric arrhythmias. Atenolol, relatively long-acting, cardioselective beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent, has been successfully used in adults with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). There is only one report on the use of atenolol in children with SVT; and our report is on the first long-term prospective study to evaluate the use of atenolol in children. A group of 22 children < 18 years of age with clinical SVT were enrolled in the study. The tachycardia was documented on electrocardiograms in each case and was confirmed by electrophysiologic studies in some. Once-a-day oral atenolol was started as a monotherapy. Of the 22 children with various types of SVT, 13 (59%) were well controlled on long-term oral atenolol therapy. The effective dose of atenolol ranged between 0.3 and 1.3 mg/kg/day (median effective dose 0.7 mg/kg/day). Five children had some adverse effects. However, none in the successful group of 13 patients required drug discontinuation because of such effects. Once-a-day oral atenolol as a monotherapy is effective and relatively safe for long-term management of SVT during childhood. It is an attractive alternative beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent for the management of pediatric arrhythmias.
Mehta
A V
AV
Department of Pediatrics, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City 37604, USA.
Subrahmanyam
A B
AB
Anand
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001262:Atenolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D001262:Atenolol