[Transesophageal atrial stimulation is useful in supraventricular arrhythmias]

The results of transoesophageal atrial stimulation (TAS) were retrospectively evaluated in 22 patients (13 women, nine men, mean age forty-five years), in whom the method was used in the process of diagnosing or specifying supraventricular arrhythmias. The patients were tested for corrected sinus node recovery time, the response to incremental stimulation and burst pacing. TAS resulted in a pathological outcome in 11 patients (50%). Among 14 patients suffering from unprovoked palpitations suspicious of tachyarrhythmias TAS was able to induce a pathological response in 10 patients (71%). In five of eight patients (63%) with inducible SVT, this arrhythmia had not previously been observed. TAS was able to induce atrial fibrillation in four of eight patients with an accessory pathway. Typical symptoms rather than a prior pathological electrocardiography (12-lead ECG, Holter-monitoring, exercise-ECG) was able to predict the outcome of TAS (p < 0.05). We conclude that TAS is a safe and suitable supplement in the evaluation of supraventricular arrhythmias; primarily among patients with characteristic symptoms.