Supraventricular tachycardia

Recent advances in the understanding and medical management of supraventricular tachycardia may improve heart function in patients with this disorder. Supraventricular tachycardia refers to any rapid heartbeat that is initiated and maintained by atrial or atrioventricular junctional tissue. Electrophysiologic studies using programmed electrical stimulation have increased the understanding and diagnosis of the disorder. The drug adenosine may control supraventricular tachycardia by blocking the atrioventricular nodal conduction. Calcium channel blockers and class I antiarrhythmia drugs may also be useful. Radiofrequency ablation may be recommended for patients who do not respond to drugs that block the atrioventricular nodal conduction. Radiofrequency ablation may be the best treatment for patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia with symptoms.