Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias: drug therapy versus catheter ablation

Until recently, the only options available for treatment of supraventricular arrhythmias involved the use of drug therapy or cardiac surgery. However, over the past several years with the introduction of radiofrequency energy sources as well as steerable catheters, the clinician has a variety of additional nonpharmacologic options. This article reviews the use of pharmacologic therapy versus catheter ablation for the treatment of reentrant supraventricular arrhythmias, involving the atrioventricular junction and/or accessory atrioventricular connection, as well as arrhythmias emanating from the atria such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and atrial tachycardia.