Management of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias

Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias are common and treatment is based on the frequency and hemodynamic severity caused by these arrhythmias. Empiric therapy with currently available medications often satisfactorily controls symptomatic arrhythmias. Nonpharmocologic therapy with permanent antitachycardia pacemakers, percutaneous catheter ablation or surgery can be effective for selected patients with medically refractory supraventricular tachyarrhythmias after thorough electrophysiologic evaluation. In selected patients with life-threatening supraventricular tachyarrhythmias due to the WPW syndrome, surgical ablation is the therapy of choice.