Copyright © 1993 by the European Society of Cardiology.
© 1993 The European Society of Cardiology
Supraventricular tachycardia and pre-excitation syndromes: Pharmacological therapy
Department of Internal Medicine–Cardiology, University of Bonn Germany
Correspondence: Matthias Manz, MD, Med. Univ.-Klinik. 25. Sigmund-Freud-Str., D-5300 Bonn 1, Germany.
Tachyarrhythmias which originate above the bifurcation of the bundle of His or incorporate tissue proximal to it are classified as supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (SVT). Primary treatment of SVT attempts to influence the underlying disease. Therapy is subdivided into drug therapy, electrotherapeutic tools (e.g. antitachycardia pacemakers, catheter ablation) and antiarrhythmic surgery. Antiarrhythmic agents which slow conduction and suppress premature beats are efficient for emergency and long-term treatment of supraventricular tachycardias. We evaluated some of the most relevant antiarrhythmic drugs for SVT including propafenone, diprafenone, cibenzoline, lorcainide and sotalol; in addition, usage and efficacy of quinidine/verapamil, disopyramide, amiodarone, ajmaline, adenosine and flecainide are summarized.
The principles for acute management of tachycardia episodes with narrow and broad complexes are outlined. The reason for the selection as well as the efficacy in the termination of the tachycardias is described for different antiarrhythmic agents including verapamil, adenosine, ajmaline, propafenone and flecainide.
Key Words: Supraventricular tachycardia propafenone sotalol diprafenone aminidine disopyramide amiodarone ajmaline adenosine flecainide