European Heart Journal

European Heart Journal 2003 24(20):1857-1897; doi:10.1016/j.ehj.2003.08.002
Copyright © 2003 by the European Society of Cardiology.

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ACC/AHA/ESC guidelines for the management of patients with supraventricular arrhythmias—executive summary

A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American HeartAssociation Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines(Writing Committee to Develop Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Supraventricular Arrhythmias)Developed in collaboration with NASPE–Heart Rhythm Society

Committee Members, Carina Blomström-Lundqvist, (Co-chair)^a,c, Melvin M Scheinman, (Co-chair)^a, Etienne M Aliot^a,c, Joseph S Alpert^a,b,c, Hugh Calkins^a,b, A.John Camm^a,b,c, W.Barton Campbell^a,b, David E Haines^a, Karl H Kuck^a,c, Bruce B Lerman^a, D.Douglas Miller^a, Charlie Willard Shaeffer, Jr^a, William G Stevenson^a and Gordon F Tomaselli^a,b

Task Force Members, Elliott M Antman, (Chair)^a,b, Sidney C Smith, Jr, (Vice-Chair)^a,b,c, Joseph S Alpert^a,b,c, David P Faxon^a,b, Valentin Fuster^a,b,c, Raymond J Gibbons^a,b,, Gabriel Gregoratos^a,b, Loren F Hiratzka^a,b, Sharon Ann Hunt^a,b, Alice K Jacobs^a,b and Richard O Russell, Jr^a,b,

ESC Committee for Practice Guidelines Members, Silvia G Priori, Chair, Jean-Jacques Blanc, Andzrej Budaj, Enrique Fernandez Burgos, Martin Cowie, Jaap Willem Deckers, Maria Angeles Alonso Garcia, Werner W Klein, John Lekakis, Bertil Lindahl, Gianfranco Mazzotta, João Carlos Araujo Morais, Ali Oto, Otto Smiseth and Hans-Joachim Trappe

Preamble

Introduction

    Organization of committee and evidence review

    Contents of these guidelines—scope

Public health considerations and epidemiology

General mechanisms of SVA

    Specialized atrial tissue

    General mechanisms

    Clinical presentation, general evaluation, and management of patients with SVA

    General evaluation of patients without documentedarrhythmia

        Clinical history and physical examination

        Diagnostic investigations

        Management

    General evaluation of patients with documentedarrhythmia

        Diagnostic evaluation

            Differential diagnosis for narrow QRS-complex tachycardia

            Differential diagnosis for wide QRS-complextachycardia

        Management

            Acute management of narrow QRS-complextachycardia

            Acute management of wide QRS-complextachycardia

            Further management

Specific arrhythmias

    Sinus tachyarrhythmias

        Physiological sinus tachycardia

            Definition

            Mechanism

            Diagnosis

            Treatment

        Inappropriate sinus tachycardia

            Definition

            Mechanism

            Presentation

            Diagnosis

            Treatment

        Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome

        Sinus node re-entry tachycardia

            Definition

            Mechanism

            Presentation

            Diagnosis

            Treatment

    Atrioventricular nodal reciprocating tachycardia

        Definitions and clinical features

        Acute treatment

        Long-term pharmacologic therapy

            Prophylactic pharmacologic therapy

            Single-dose oral therapy (pill-in-the-pocket)

        Catheter ablation

    Focal and nonparoxysmal junctional tachycardia

        Focal junctional tachycardia

            Definition

            Diagnoses

            Clinical features

            Management

        Nonparoxysmal junctional tachycardia

            Definition and clinical features

            Management

    Atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (extra nodal accessory pathways)

        Sudden death in WPW syndrome and risk stratification

        Acute treatment

            Special considerations for patients with wide-complex (pre-excited)tachycardias

        Long-term pharmacologic therapy

            Prophylactic pharmacologic therapy

            Single-dose oral therapy (pill-in-the-pocket)

        Catheter ablation

    Management of patients with asymptomatic accessory pathways

        Summary of management

    Focal atrial tachycardias

        Definition and clinical presentation

        Diagnosis

        Site of origin and mechanisms

            Drug-induced atrial tachycardia

        Treatment

            Acute treatment

            Long-term pharmacologic therapy

            Catheter ablation

        Multifocal atrial tachycardia

    Macro-re-entrant atrial tachycardia

        Isthmus-dependent atrial flutter

            Definitions of cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent flutter circuits

            Other CTI-dependent flutter circuits

            Pathophysiology and treatment rationale

        Clinical presentation

            Acute treatment

            Chronic pharmacologic treatment

            Role of anticoagulant therapy for patients with atrial flutter

            Catheter ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus for isthmus-dependent flutter

            Treatment of atrial flutter in specialcircumstances

        Non-cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent atrialflutter

            Catheter ablation and mapping of non-cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent flutter

Special circumstances

    Pregnancy

        Acute conversion of atrioventricular node-dependent tachycardias

        Prophylactic antiarrhythmic drug therapy

    Supraventricular tachycardias in adult patients with congenital heart disease

        Introduction

        Specific disorders

            Atrial septal defect

            Transposition of the great vessels

            Tetralogy of fallot

            Ebstein’s anomaly of the tricuspid valve

            Fontan repairs

    Quality-of-life and cost considerations

References

	1. Preamble

Top 1. Preamble 2. Introduction 3. Public health considerations... 4. General mechanisms of... 5. Clinical presentation,... 6. Specific arrhythmias 7. Special circumstances References

 
These practice guidelines are intended to assist physicians in clinical decision making by describing a range of generally acceptable approaches for the diagnosis and management of supraventricular arrhythmias. These guidelines attempt to define practices that meet the needs of most patients in most circumstances. The ultimate judgment regarding care of a particular patient must be made by the physician and the patient in light of all of the circumstances presented by that patient. There are situations in which deviations from these guidelines are appropriate.

	2. Introduction

Top 1. Preamble 2. Introduction 3. Public health considerations... 4. General mechanisms of... 5. Clinical presentation,... 6. Specific arrhythmias 7. Special circumstances References

 
2.1. Organization of committee and evidence review
Supraventricular arrhythmias are a group of common rhythm disturbances. The most common treatment strategies include antiarrhythmic drug therapy and catheter ablation. Over the past decade, the latter has been shown to be a highly successful and often curative intervention. To facilitate and optimize the management of patients with supraventricular arrhythmias, the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF), the American Heart Association (AHA), and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) created a committee to establish guidelines for better management of these heterogeneous tachyarrhythmias. This document summarizes the management of patients with supraventricular arrhythmias with recommendations for diagnostic procedures as well as indications for antiarrhythmic drugs and/or nonpharmacologic treatments.

Writing groups are specifically charged to perform a formal literature review, weigh the strength of evidence for or against a particular treatment or procedure, and include estimates of expected health outcomes where data exist. Patient-specific modifiers, comorbidities, and issues of patient preference that might influence the choice of particular tests or therapies are considered, as are frequency of follow-up and cost effectiveness. In controversial areas, or with regard to issues without evidence other than usual clinical practice, a consensus was achieved by agreement of the expert panel after thorough deliberations.

This document was peer reviewed by two official external reviewers representing the American College of Cardiology Foundation, two official external reviewers representing the American Heart Association, and two official external reviewers representing the European Society of Cardiology. The North American Society for Pacing and Electrophysiology—Heart Rhythm Society assigned one organizational reviewer to the guideline. In addition, 37 external content reviewers participated in the review representing the ACC/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines, the ESC Committee for Practice Guidelines, the ACCF Electrophysiology Committee, the AHA ECG/Arrhythmias Committee, the ESC Working Group on Arrhythmias, and the ESC Task Force on Grown-Up Congenital Heart Disease. Please see Appendix 2 in the full-text guideline for the names of all reviewers.

The document was approved for publication by the governing bodies of the ACCF, AHA, and ESC. These guidelines will be reviewed annually by the ESC and the ACC/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines and will be considered current unless they are revised or withdrawn from distribution.

Recommendations are evidence-based and derived primarily from published data. The level of evidence was ranked as follows:

Level A (highest):derived from multiple randomized clinical trials;

Level B (intermediate):data are on the basis of a limited number of randomized trials, nonrandomized studies, or observational registries;

Level C (lowest):primary basis for the recommendation was expert consensus.

Recommendations follow the format of previous ACC/AHA guidelines for classifying indications, summarizing both the evidence and expert opinion.

Class I: Conditions for which there is evidence for and/or general agreement that the procedure or treatment is useful and effective.

Class II: Conditions for which there is conflicting evidence and/or a divergence of opinion about the usefulness/efficacy of a procedure or treatment.

Class IIa: The weight of evidence or opinion is in favor of the procedure or treatment.

Class IIb: Usefulness/efficacy is less well established by evidence or opinion.

Class III: Conditions for which there is evidence and/or general agreement that the procedure or treatment is not useful/effective and in some cases may be harmful.

2.2. Contents of these guidelines—scope
The purpose of this joint ACC/AHA/ESC document is to provide clinicians with practical and authoritative guidelines for the management and treatment of patients with supraventricular arrhythmias (SVA). These include rhythms emanating from the sinus node, from atrial tissue (atrial flutter), and from junctional as well as reciprocating or accessory pathway-mediated tachycardia. This document does not include recommendations for patients with either atrial fibrillation (AF) (see ACC/AHA/ESC Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation1) or for pediatric patients with supraventricular arrhythmias. For our purposes, the term ‘supraventricular arrhythmia’ refers to all types of supraventricular arrhythmias, excluding AF, as opposed to SVT, which includes atrioventricular nodal reciprocating tachycardia (AVNRT), atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT), and atrial tachycardia (AT).

Overall, this is a consensus document that includes evidence and expert opinions from several countries. The pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic antiarrhythmicapproaches discussed may, therefore, include some drugs and devices that do not have the approval of governmental regulatory agencies. Because antiarrhythmic drug dosages and drug half-lives are detailed in the ACC/AHA/ESC Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation,¹they are not repeated in this document.

	3. Public health considerations and epidemiology

Top 1. Preamble 2. Introduction 3. Public health considerations... 4. General mechanisms of... 5. Clinical presentation,... 6. Specific arrhythmias 7. Special circumstances References

 
Supraventricular arrhythmias are relatively common, often repetitive, occasionally persistent, and rarely life threatening. The precipitants of supraventricular arrhythmias vary with age, sex, and associatedcomorbidity.²

Failure to discriminate among AF, atrial flutter, and other supraventricular arrhythmias has complicated the precise definition of this arrhythmia in the general population. The estimated prevalence of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) in a 3.5% sample of medical records in the Marshfield (Wisconsin) Epidemiologic Study Area (MESA) was 2.25 per 1000.³The incidence of PSVT in this survey was 35 per 100 000 person-years.³

Age exerts an influence on the occurrence of SVT. The mean age at the time of PSVT onset in the MESA cohort was 57 years (ranging from infancy to more than 90 years old).³In the MESA population, compared with those with other cardiovascular disease, ‘lone’ (no cardiac structural disease) PSVT patients were younger (mean age equals 37 vs 69 years), had faster heart rates (186 vs 155 beats per minute [bpm]), and were more likely to present first to an emergency room (69% vs 30%).³The age of tachycardia onset is higher for AVNRT (32±18 years) than for AVRT (23±14 years).

Gender plays a role in the epidemiology of SVT. Female residents in the MESA population had a two-fold greater relative risk (RR) of PSVT (RR equals 2.0; 95% confidence interval equals 1.0 to 4.2) compared with males.³

The only reported epidemiologic study of patients with atrial flutter⁴involved a selected sample of individuals treated in the Marshfield Clinic in predominantly white, rural mid-Wisconsin. More than 75% of the 58 820 residents and virtually all health events were included in this population database. In approximately 60% of cases, atrial flutter occurred for the first time in association with a specific precipitating event (i.e., major surgery, pneumonia, or acute myocardial infarction). In the remaining patients, atrial flutter was associated with chronic comorbid conditions (i.e., heart failure, hypertension, and chronic lung disease). Only 1.7% of cases had no structural cardiac disease or precipitating causes (lone atrial flutter). The overall incidence of atrial flutter was 0.088%; 58% of these patients also had AF. Atrial flutter alone was seen in 0.037%. The incidence of atrial flutter increased markedly with age, from 5 per 100 000 of those more than 50 years old to 587 per 100 000 over age 80. Atrial flutter was 2.5 times more common in men and was diagnosed twice as often as PSVT.

	4. General mechanisms of SVA

Top 1. Preamble 2. Introduction 3. Public health considerations... 4. General mechanisms of... 5. Clinical presentation,... 6. Specific arrhythmias 7. Special circumstances References

 
4.1. Specialized atrial tissue
The sinoatrial node, atria, and atrioventricular (AV) node are heterogeneous structures. There is distinct electrophysiological specialization of tissues and cells within these structures. In the case of the nodes, cellularheterogeneity is a prominent feature.

The sinoatrial node is a collection of morphologically and electrically distinct cells.^5,6The central portion of the sinus node, which houses the dominant pacemaking function, contains cells with longer action potentials and faster rates of phase 4 diastolic depolarization than other cardiac cells.^6,7

Cellular recordings support the existence of distinct populations of cells in the mammalian AV node. Differences in ion channel expression underlie the differences in the electrophysiological behavior of each of the cell types.

4.2. General mechanisms
All cardiac tachyarrhythmias are produced by one or more mechanisms, including disorders of impulse initiation and abnormalities of impulse conduction. The former are often referred to as automatic, and the latter as re-entrant. Tissues exhibiting abnormal automaticity that underlie SVT can reside in the atria, the AV junction, or vessels that communicate directly with the atria, such as the vena cava or pulmonary veins.^8,9The cells with enhanced automaticity exhibit enhanced diastolic phase 4 depolarization and, therefore, an increase in firing rate compared with pacemaker cells. If the firing rate of the ectopic focus exceeds that of the sinus node, then the sinus node can be overdriven and the ectopic focus will become the predominant pacemaker of the heart. The rapid firing rate may be incessant (i.e., more than 50% of the day) or episodic.

Triggered activity is a tachycardia mechanism associated with disturbances of recovery or repolarization. Triggered rhythms are generated by interruptions in repolarization of a heart cell called afterdepolarizations. An afterdepolarization of sufficient magnitude may reach ‘threshold’ and trigger an early action potential during repolarization.

The most common arrhythmia mechanism is re-entry, which may occur in different forms. In its simplest form, it occurs as repetitive excitation of a region of the heart and is a result of conduction of an electrical impulse around a fixed obstacle in a defined circuit. This is referred to as re-entrant tachycardia. There are several requirements for the initiation and maintenance of this type of re-entry. Initiation of a circus movement tachycardia requires unidirectional conduction block in one limb of a circuit. Unidirectional block may occur as a result of acceleration of the heart rate or block of a premature impulse that impinges on the refractory period of the pathway. Slow conduction is usually required for both initiation and maintenance of a circus movement tachycardia. In the case of orthodromic AV re-entry (i.e., anterograde conduction across the AV node with retrograde conduction over an accessory pathway), slowed conduction through the AV node allows for recovery of, and retrograde activation over, the accessory pathway.

Re-entry is the mechanism of tachycardia in SVTs such as AVRT, AVNRT and atrial flutter; however, a fixed obstacle and predetermined circuit are not essential requirements for all forms of re-entry. In functionally determined re-entry, propagation occurs through relatively refractory tissue and there is an absence of a fully excitable gap. Specific mechanisms are considered in the following sections.

	5. Clinical presentation, general evaluation, and management of patients with SVA

Top 1. Preamble 2. Introduction 3. Public health considerations... 4. General mechanisms of... 5. Clinical presentation,... 6. Specific arrhythmias 7. Special circumstances References

 
5.1. General evaluation of patients without documented arrhythmia
5.1.1. Clinical history and physical examination
Patients with paroxysmal arrhythmias are most often asymptomatic at the time of evaluation. Arrhythmia-related symptoms include palpitations; fatigue; lightheadedness; chest discomfort; dyspnea; presyncope; or, more rarely, syncope.

A history of arrhythmia-related symptoms may yield important clues to the type of arrhythmia. Premature beats are commonly described as pauses or nonconducted beats followed by a sensation of a strong heart beat, or they are described as irregularities in heart rhythm. Supraventricular tachycardias occur in all age groups and may be associated with minimal symptoms, such as palpitations, or they may present with syncope. The clinician should distinguish whether the palpitations are regular or irregular. Irregular palpitations may be due to premature depolarizations, AF, or multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT). The latter are most commonly encountered in patients with pulmonary disease. If the arrhythmia is recurrent and has abrupt onset and termination, then it is designated paroxysmal. Sinus tachycardia is, conversely, nonparoxysmal and accelerates and terminates gradually. Patients with sinus tachycardia may require evaluation for stressors, such as infection or volume loss. Episodes of regular and paroxysmal palpitations with a sudden onset and termination (also referred to as PSVT) most commonly result from AVRT or AVNRT. Termination by vagal maneuvers further suggests a re-entrant tachycardia involving AV nodal tissue (e.g., AVNRT, AVRT). Polyuria is caused by release of atrial natriuretic peptide in response to increased atrialpressures from contraction of atria against a closed AV valve, which is supportive of a sustained supraventricular arrhythmia.

With SVT, syncope is observed in approximately 15% of patients, usually just after initiation of rapid SVT or with a prolonged pause after abrupt termination of the tachycardia. Syncope may be associated with AF with rapid conduction over an accessory AV pathway or may suggest concomitant structural abnormalities, such as valvular aortic stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or cerebrovascular disease. Symptoms vary with the ventricular rate, underlying heart disease, duration of SVT, and individual patient perceptions. Supraventricular tachycardia that is persistent for weeks to months and associated with a fast ventricular response may lead to a tachycardia-mediated cardiomyopathy.^10,11

Of crucial importance in clinical decision making is a clinical history describing the pattern in terms of the number of episodes, duration, frequency, mode of onset, and possible triggers.

Supraventricular tachycardia has a heterogeneous clinical presentation, most often occurring in the absence of detectable heart disease in younger individuals. The presence of associated heart disease should nevertheless always be sought, and an echocardiogram may be helpful. While a physical examination during tachycardia is standard, it usually does not lead to a definitive diagnosis. If irregular cannon A waves and/or irregular variation in S1 intensity is present, then a ventricular origin of a regular tachycardia is strongly suggested.

5.1.2. Diagnostic investigations
A resting 12-lead echocardiogram (ECG) should be recorded. The presence of pre-excitation on the resting ECG in a patient with a history of paroxysmal regular palpitations is sufficient for the presumptive diagnosis of AVRT, and attempts to record spontaneous episodes are not required before referral to an arrhythmia specialist for therapy (Fig. 1). Specific therapy is discussed in Section V. A clinical history of irregular and paroxysmal palpitations in a patient with baseline pre-excitation strongly suggests episodes of AF, which requires immediate electrophysiological evaluation because these patients are at risk for significant morbidity and possibly sudden death (see Section V-D). The diagnosis is otherwise made by careful analysis of the 12-lead ECG during tachycardia (see Section IV). Therefore, patients with a history of sustained arrhythmia should always be encouraged to have at least one 12-lead ECG taken during the arrhythmia. Automatic analysis systems of 12-lead ECGs are unreliable and commonly suggest an incorrect arrhythmia diagnosis.

View larger version (18K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 1 Initial evaluation of patients with suspected tachycardia. AVRT indicates atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia.

 
Indications for referral to a cardiac arrhythmia specialist include presence of a wide complex tachycardia of unknown origin. For those with narrow complex tachycardias, referral is indicated for those with drug resistance or intolerance as well as for patients desiring to be free of drug therapy. Because of the potential for lethal arrhythmias, all patients with the Wolff–Parkinson–White (WPW) syndrome (i.e., pre-excitation combined with arrhythmias) should be referred for further evaluation. All patients with severe symptoms, such as syncope or dyspnoea, during palpitations should also be referred for prompt evaluation by an arrhythmia specialist. An echocardiographic examination should be considered in patients with documented sustained SVT to exclude the possibility of structural heart disease, which usually cannot be detected by physical examination or 12-lead ECG.

An ambulatory 24-h Holter recording can be used in patients with frequent (i.e., several episodes per week) but transient tachycardias.¹²An event or wearable loop recorder is often more useful than a 24-h recording in patients with less frequent arrhythmias. Implantable loop recorders may be helpful in selected cases with rare symptoms (i.e., fewer than two episodes per month) associated with severe symptoms of hemodynamicinstability.¹³Exercise testing is less often useful for diagnosis unless the arrhythmia is clearly triggered by exertion.

Transesophageal atrial recordings and stimulation may be used in selected cases for diagnosis or to provoke paroxysmal tachyarrhythmias if the clinical history is insufficient or if other measures have failed to document an arrhythmia. Esophageal stimulation is not indicated if invasive electrophysiological investigation is planned. Invasive electrophysiological investigation with subsequent catheter ablation may be used for diagnoses and therapy in cases with a clear history of paroxysmal regular palpitations. It may also be used empirically in the presence of pre-excitation or disabling symptoms (Fig. 1).

5.1.3. Management
The management of patients with symptoms suggestive of an arrhythmia but without ECG documentation depends on the nature of the symptoms. If the surface ECG is normal and the patient reports a history consistent with premature extra beats, then precipitating factors, such as excessive caffeine, alcohol, nicotine intake, recreational drugs, or hyperthyroidism, should be reviewed and eliminated. Benign extrasystoles are often manifest at rest and tend to become less common with exercise.

If symptoms and the clinical history indicate that the arrhythmia is paroxysmal in nature and the resting 12-lead ECG gives no clue for the arrhythmia mechanism, then further diagnostic tests for documentation may not be necessary before referral for an invasive electrophysiological study and/or catheter ablation. Patients should be taught to perform vagal maneuvers. A beta-blocking agent may be prescribed empirically provided that significant bradycardia (less than 50bpm) have been excluded. Due to the risk of proarrhythmia, antiarrhythmic treatment with class I or class III drugs should not be initiated without a documented arrhythmia.

5.2. General evaluation of patients with documented arrhythmia
5.2.1. Diagnostic evaluation
Whenever possible, a 12-lead ECG should be taken during tachycardia but should not delay immediate therapy to terminate the arrhythmia if there is hemodynamic instability. At a minimum, a monitor strip should be obtained from the defibrillator, even in cases with cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest, before direct current (DC) cardioversion is applied to terminate the arrhythmia.

5.2.1.1. Differential diagnosis for narrow QRS-complextachycardia
If ventricular action (QRS) is narrow (less than 120ms), then the tachycardia is almost always supraventricular and the differential diagnosis relates to its mechanism (Fig. 2). If no P waves or evidence of atrial activity is apparent and the RR interval is regular, then AVNRT is most commonly the mechanism. P-wave activity in AVNRT may be only partially hidden within the QRS complex and may deform the QRS to give a pseudo-R wave in lead V1 and/or a pseudo-S wave in inferior leads (Fig. 3). If a P wave is present in the ST segment and separated from the QRS by 70ms, then AVRT is most likely. In tachycardias with RP longer than PR, the most likely diagnosis is atypical AVNRT, permanent form of junctional reciprocating tachycardia (PJRT) (i.e., AVRT via a slowly conducting accessory pathway), or AT (see Section V-B, D, and E). Responses of narrow QRS-complex tachycardias to adenosine or carotid massage may aid in the differential diagnosis (Fig. 4).^14,15A 12-lead ECG recording is desirable during use of adenosine or carotid massage. If P waves are not visible, then the use of esophageal pill electrodes can also be helpful.

View larger version (21K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 2 Differential diagnosis for narrow QRS tachycardia. Patients with focal junctional tachycardia may mimic the pattern of slow-fast AVNRT and may show AV dissociation and/or marked irregularity in the junctional rate. AV indicates atrioventricular; AVNRT, atrioventricular nodal reciprocating tachycardia; AVRT, atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia; MAT, multifocal atrial tachycardia; ms, milliseconds; PJRT, permanent form of junctional reciprocating tachycardia; QRS, ventricular activation on ECG.

 

View larger version (25K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 3 ECG pattern of typical AVNRT. Panel A: 12-Lead ECG shows a regular SVT recorded at an ECG paper speed of 25 mm/sec. Panel B: After conversion to sinus rhythm, the 12-lead ECG shows sinus rhythm with narrow QRS complexes. In comparison with Panel A: Note the pseudo r' in V1 (arrow) and accentuated S waves in 2, 3, aVF (arrow). These findings are pathognomonic for AVNRT. AVNRT indicates atrioventricular nodal reciprocating tachycardia; mm/sec, millimeters per second; QRS, ventricular activation on ECG; SVT, supraventricular tachycardia; VF, ventricular fibrillation.

 

View larger version (15K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 4 Responses of narrow complex tachycardias to adenosine. AT indicates atrial tachycardia; AV, atrioventricular; AVNRT, atrioventricular nodal reciprocating tachycardia; AVRT, atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia; IV, intravenous; QRS, ventricular activation on ECG; VT, ventricular tachycardia.

 
5.2.1.2. Differential diagnosis for wide QRS-complex tachycardia
If the QRS is wide (more than 120ms), then it is important to differentiate between SVT and ventricular tachycardia (VT) (Fig. 5). Intravenous medications given for the treatment of SVT, particularly verapamil or diltiazem, may be deleterious because they may precipitate haemodynamic collapse for a patient with VT. Stable vital signs during tachycardias are not helpful for distinguishing SVT from VT. If the diagnosis of SVT cannot be proven or cannot be made easily, then the patient should be treated as if VT were present. Wide QRS tachycardia can be divided into three groups: SVT with bundle-branch block (BBB) or aberration, SVT with AV conduction over an accessory pathway, and VT.

View larger version (21K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 5 Differential diagnosis for wide QRS-complex tachycardia (more than 120ms). A QRS conduction delay during sinus rhythm, when available for comparison, reduces the value of QRS morphology analysis. Adenosine should be used with caution when the diagnosis is unclear because it may produce VF in patients with coronary artery disease and AF with a rapid ventricular rate in pre-excited tachycardias. Various adenosine responses are shown inFig. 4. *Concordant indicates that all precordial leads show either positive or negative deflections. Fusion complexes are diagnostic of VT. In pre-excited tachycardias, the QRS is generally wider (i.e., more pre-excited) compared with sinus rhythm. A indicates atrial; AP, accessory pathway; AT, atrial tachycardia; AV, atrioventricular; AVRT, atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia; BBB, bundle-branch block; LBBB, left bundle-branch block; ms, milliseconds; QRS, ventricular activation on ECG; RBBB, right bundle-branch block; SR, sinus rhythm; SVT, supraventricular tachycardias; V, ventricular; VF, ventricular fibrillation; VT, ventricular tachycardia.

 

Supraventricular Tachycardia With Bundle-Branch Block. Bundle-branch block may be pre-existing or may occur only during tachycardia when one of the bundle branches is refractory due to the rapid rate. Most BBBs are not only rate-related but are also due to a long-short sequence of initiation. Bundle-branch block can occur with any supraventricular arrhythmia. If a rate-related BBB develops during orthodromic AVRT, then the tachycardia rate may slow if the BBB is ipsilateral to the bypass tract location.

Supraventricular Tachycardia With Atrioventricular Conduction Over an Accessory Pathway. Supraventricular tachycardia with AV conduction over an accessory pathway may occur during AT, atrialflutter, AF, AVNRT, or antidromic AVRT. The latter is defined as anterograde conduction over the accessory pathway and retrograde conduction over the AV node or a second accessory AV pathway. A wide-QRS complex with left bundle-branch block (LBBB) morphology may be seen with anterograde conduction over other types of accessory pathways, such as atriofascicular, nodofascicular, or nodoventricular tracts.

Ventricular Tachycardia. Several ECG criteria have been described to differentiate the underlying mechanism of a wide-QRS tachycardia.

Ventricular Arrhythmia (VA) Dissociation. VA dissociation with a ventricular rate faster than the atrial rate generally proves the diagnosis of VT (Figs. 5 and 6) but is clearly discernible in only 30% of all VTs. Fusion complexes represent a merger between conducted sinus (or supraventricular complexes) impulses and ventricular depolarization occurring during AV dissociation. These complexes are pathognomonic of VT. Retrograde VA block may be present spontaneously or brought out by carotid massage. The demonstration that P waves are not necessary for tachycardia maintenance strongly suggests VT. P waves can be difficult to recognize during a wide-QRS tachycardia. Therefore, one should also look for evidence of VA dissociation on physical examination: irregular cannon A waves in the jugular venous pulse and variability in the loudness of the first heart sound and in systolic blood pressure. If P waves are not visible, then the use of esophageal pill electrodes can also be useful.

Width of the QRS Complex. A QRS width of more than 0.14s with right bundle-branch block (RBBB) or 0.16s during LBBB pattern favors VT. The QRS width criteria are not helpful for differentiating VT from SVT with AV conduction over an accessory pathway. A patient with SVT can have a QRS width of more than 0.14 (RBBB) or 0.16 (LBBB) in the presence of either pre-existing BBB or AV conduction over an accessory pathway or when class Ic or class Ia antiarrhythmic drugs are used.

Configurational Characteristics of the QRS Complex During Tachycardia. Leads V1 and V6 are helpful in differentiating VT from SVT.

• An RS (from the initial R to the nadir of S) interval longer than 100ms in any precordial lead is highly suggestive of VT.
  
• A QRS pattern with negative concordance in the precordial leads is diagnostic for VT (‘negative concordance’ means that the QRS patterns in all of the precordial leads are similar, and with QS complexes). Positive concordance does not exclude antidromic AVRT over a left posterior accessory pathway.
  
• The presence of ventricular fusion beats indicates a ventricular origin of the tachycardia.
  
• QR complexes indicate a myocardial scar and are present in approximately 40% of patients with VTs after myocardial infarction.
  

The width and morphological criteria are less specific for patients taking certain antiarrhythmic agents and those with hyperkalemia or severe heart failure. Despite ECG criteria, patients presenting with wide QRS-complex tachycardia are often misdiagnosed. A positive answer to two inquiries, namely the presence of a previous myocardial infarct and the first occurrence of a wide QRS-complex tachycardia after an infarct, strongly indicates a diagnosis of VT.

5.2.2. Management
When a definitive diagnosis can be made on the basis of ECG and clinical criteria, acute and chronic treatment should be initiated on the basis of the underlying mechanism (see sections on specific arrhythmias).

If the specific diagnosis of a wide QRS-complex tachycardia cannot be made despite careful evaluation, then the patient should be treated for VT. Acute management of patients with hemodynamically stable and regular tachycardia is outlined in Fig. 7.

View larger version (24K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 7 Acute management of patients with hemodynamically stable and regular tachycardia. *A 12-lead ECG during sinus rhythm must be available for diagnosis. Adenosine should be used with caution in patients with severe coronary artery disease and may produce AF, which may result in rapid ventricular rates for patients with pre-excitation. **Ibutilide is especially effective for patients with atrial flutter but should not be used in patients with EF less than 30% due to increased risk of polymorphic VT. AF indicates atrial fibrillation; AV, atrioventricular; BBB, bundle-branch block; DC, direct current; IV, intravenous; LV, left ventricle; QRS, ventricular activation on ECG; SVT, supraventricular tachycardia; VT, ventricular tachycardia.

 
The most effective and rapid means of terminating any hemodynamically unstable narrow or wide QRS-complex tachycardia is DC cardioversion.

5.2.2.1. Acute management of narrow QRS-complex tachycardia
In regular narrow QRS-complex tachycardia, vagal maneuvers (i.e., Valsalva, carotid massage, and facial immersion in cold water) should be initiated to terminate the arrhythmia or to modify AV conduction. If this fails, then intravenous (IV) antiarrhythmic drugs should be administered for arrhythmia termination in hemodynamically stable patients. Adenosine (or adenosine triphosphate [ATP]) or nondihydropyridine calcium-channel antagonists are the drugs of choice (Fig. 4). The advantage of adenosine relative to IV calcium-channel or beta blockers relates to its rapid onset and short half-life. Intravenous adenosine is, therefore, the preferred agent except for patients with severe asthma. Patients treated with theophylline may require higher doses of adenosine for effect, and adenosine effects are potentiated by dipyridamole. In addition, higher rates of heart block may be seen when adenosine is concomitantly administered with carbamazepine. Longer-acting agents (e.g., IV calcium-channel blockers or beta blockers [i.e., verapamil/diltiazem or metoprolol]) are of value, particularly for patients with frequent atrial premature beats or ventricular premature beats, which may serve to trigger early recurrence of PSVT. Adenosine or DC cardioversion is preferred for those with PSVT in whom a rapid therapeutic effect is essential. Potential adverse effects of adenosine include initiation of AF (1% to 15%), which is usually transient and may be particularly problematic for those with ventricular pre-excitation. Adenosine should be avoided in patients with severe bronchial asthma. It is important to use extreme care with concomitant use of IV calcium-channel blockers and beta blockers because of possible potentiation of hypotensive and/or bradycardic effects. An ECG should be recorded during vagal maneuvers or drug administration because the response may aid in the diagnosis even if the arrhythmia does not terminate (Fig. 4). Termination of the tachycardia with a P wave after the last QRS complex favors a diagnosis of AVRT or AVNRT. Tachycardia termination with a QRS complex favors AT, which is often adenosine insensitive. Continuation of tachycardia with AV block is virtually diagnostic of AT or atrial flutter, excludes AVRT, and makes AVNRT very unlikely.

5.2.2.2. Acute management of wide QRS-complex tachycardia
Immediate DC cardioversion is the treatment for haemodynamically unstable tachycardias. If the tachycardia is haemodynamically stable and definitely supraventricular, then management is as described for narrow QRS tachycardias (Fig. 4). For pharmacologic termination of a stable wide QRS-complex tachycardia, IV procainamide and/or sotalol are recommended on the basis of randomized but small studies. Amiodarone is also considered acceptable. Amiodarone is preferred compared with procainamide and sotalol for patients with impaired left ventricular (LV) function or signs of heart failure. These recommendations are in accord with the current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support guidelines.¹⁶Special circumstances may require alternative therapy (i.e., pre-excited tachycardias and VT caused by digitalis toxicity). For termination of an irregular wide QRS-complex tachycardia (i.e., pre-excited AF), DC cardioversion is recommended. Or, if the patient is hemodynamically stable, then pharmacologic conversion using IV ibutilide or flecainide is appropriate.

5.2.2.3. Further management
After successful termination of a wide QRS-complex tachycardia of unknown etiology, patients should bereferred to an arrhythmia specialist. Patients with stable narrow QRS-complex tachycardia, normal LV function, and a normal ECG during sinus rhythm (i.e., no pre-excitation) may require no specific therapy. Referral is indicated for those with drug resistance or intolerance as well as for patients desiring to be free of lifelong drug therapy. When treatment is indicated, options include catheter ablation or drug therapy. Finally, because of the potential for lethal arrhythmias, all patients with WPW syndrome (i.e., pre-excitation and arrhythmias) should be referred for further evaluation. Table 1lists recommendations for acute management of hemodynamically stable and regular tachycardia.

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 1 Recommendations for acute management of haemodynamically stable and regular tachycardia

 

	6. Specific arrhythmias

Top 1. Preamble 2. Introduction 3. Public health considerations... 4. General mechanisms of... 5. Clinical presentation,... 6. Specific arrhythmias 7. Special circumstances References

 
6.1. Sinus tachyarrhythmias
Sinus tachycardia usually occurs in response to an appropriate physiological stimulus (e.g., exercise) or to an excessive stimulus (e.g., hyperthyroidism). Failure of the mechanisms that control the sinus rate may lead to an inappropriate sinus tachycardia. Excessive sinus tachycardia may also occur in response to upright posture (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome [POTS]). A re-entry mechanism may also occur within or close to the sinus node, resulting in so-called sinus node re-entrant tachycardia, which is also sometimes known as sinoatrial re-entry.

6.1.1. Physiological sinus tachycardia
The normally innervated sinus node generates an impulse approximately 60 to 90 times per minute and responds to autonomic influences. Nevertheless, the sinus node is a versatile structure and is influenced by many other factors, including hypoxia, acidosis, stretch, temperature, and hormones (e.g., tri-iodothyronine, serotonin).

6.1.1.1. Definition
Sinus tachycardia is defined as an increase in sinus rate to more than 100bpm in keeping with the level of physical, emotional, pathological, or pharmacologic stress. Pathological causes of sinus tachycardia include pyrexia, hypovolemia, or anemia, which may result from infections. Drugs that induce sinus tachycardia include stimulants (eg, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine); prescribed compounds (e.g., salbutamol, aminophylline, atropine, catecholamines); and certain recreational/illicit drugs (e.g., amphetamines, cocaine, ‘ecstasy’, cannabis).³³Anticancer treatments, in particular anthracycline compounds such as doxorubicin (or Adriamycin) and daunorubicin, can also trigger sinus tachycardia as part of the acute cardiotoxic response that is predominantly catecholamine/histamine induced³⁴or part of a late cardiotoxic response. Sinus tachycardia may signal severe underlying pathologies and often requires comprehensive evaluation. Atrial and sinus tachycardias may be difficult to differentiate.

6.1.1.2. Mechanism
Sinus tachycardia results from physiological influences on individual pacemaker cells and from an anatomical shift in the site of origin of atrial depolarization superiorly within the sinus node.

6.1.1.3. Diagnosis
In normal sinus rhythm, the P wave on a 12-lead ECG is positive in leads I, II, and aVF and negative in aVR. Its axis in the frontal plane lies between 0 and +90; in the horizontal plane, it is directed anteriorly and slightly leftward and can, therefore, be negative in leads V1 and V2 but positive in leads V3 to V6. The P waves have a normal contour, but a larger amplitude may develop and the wave may become peaked.³⁵Sinus tachycardia is nonparoxysmal, thus differentiating it from re-entry.

6.1.1.4. Treatment
The mainstay in the management of sinus tachycardias primarily involves identifying the cause and either eliminating or treating it. Beta blockade, however, can be extremely useful and effective for physiological symptomatic sinus tachycardia triggered by emotional stress and other anxiety-related disorders;^36–38for prognostic benefit after myocardial infarction;³⁹for the symptomatic and prognostic benefits in certain other irreversible causes of sinus tachycardias, such as congestive cardiac failure;^40,41and for symptomatic thyrotoxicosis in combination with carbimazole or propylthiouracyl while these palliative agents takeeffect.⁴²Nondihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers, such as dilitiazem or verapamil, may be of benefit in patients with symptomatic thyrotoxicosis if beta blockade is contraindicated.

6.1.2. Inappropriate sinus tachycardia
6.1.2.1. Definition
Inappropriate sinus tachycardia is a persistent increase in resting heart rate or sinus rate unrelated to, or out of proportion with, the level of physical, emotional, pathological, or pharmacologic stress.

6.1.2.2. Mechanism
The underlying pathological basis for inappropriate sinus tachycardia is likely to be multifactorial, but two main mechanisms have been proposed:

1. Enhanced automaticity of the sinus node
   
2. Abnormal autonomic regulation of the sinus node with excess sympathetic and reduced parasympathetic tone.
   

6.1.2.3. Presentation
A high proportion of patients with inappropriate sinus tachycardia are healthcare professionals, and approximately 90% are female. The mean age of presentation is 38±12 years. Although the predominant symptom at presentation is that of palpitations, symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, and pre-syncope have also been reported. The degree of disability can vary tremendously, from totally asymptomatic patients identified during routine medical examination to individuals who are fully incapacitated. Clinical examination and routine investigations allow elimination of a secondary cause for the tachycardia but are generally not helpful in establishing the diagnosis.

6.1.2.4. Diagnosis
Sinus tachycardia is diagnosed on the basis of invasive and noninvasive criteria⁴³:

1. The presence of a persistent sinus tachycardia (heart rate more than 100bpm) during the day with excessive rate increase in response to activity and nocturnal normalization of rate as confirmed by a 24-h Holter recording
   
2. The tachycardia (and symptoms) is nonparoxysmal
   
3. P-wave morphology and endocardial activation identical to sinus rhythm
   
4. Exclusion of a secondary systemic cause (e.g., hyperthyroidism, pheochromocytoma, physicaldeconditioning)
   

6.1.2.5. Treatment
The treatment of inappropriate sinus tachycardia is predominantly symptom driven. The risk of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy in untreated patients is unknown but is likely to be small.

Although no randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trials exist, beta blockers may be useful and should be prescribed as first-line therapy in the majority of these patients. Anecdotal evidence suggests that nondihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers, such as verapamil and diltiazem, are also effective.

Sinus node modification by catheter ablation remains a potentially important therapeutic option in the most refractory cases of inappropriate sinus tachycardia. Potential adverse effects include pericarditis, phrenic nerve injury, superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome, or need for permanent pacing. A number of case reports have recorded successful surgical excision or radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the sinus node.^44,45The diagnosis of POTS (see Section V-A-3) must be excluded before considering ablation. In a retrospective analysis of 29 cases undergoing sinus node modification for inappropriate sinus tachycardia,⁴⁶a 76% acute success rate (22 out of 29 cases) was reported. The long-term success rate has been reported to be around 66%. Table 2lists recommendations for treatment of inappropriate sinustachycardia.

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 2 Recommendations for treatment of inappropriate sinus tachycardia

 
6.1.3. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
This section of the full-text guideline has not been included in the executive summary because it is not a disorder of the sinus node. Please refer to Section V-A-3 of the full-text guideline for differential diagnosis and treatment recommendations on this topic.

6.1.4. Sinus node re-entry tachycardia
6.1.4.1. Definition
Sinus node re-entry tachycardias arise from re-entrant circuits involving the sinus node's production ofparoxysmal, often nonsustained bursts of tachycardia with P waves that are similar, if not identical, to those in sinus rhythm. They are usually triggered and terminated abruptly by an atrial premature beat.

6.1.4.2. Mechanism
Heterogeneity of conduction within the sinus node provides a substrate for re-entry, but it is still not known whether the re-entry circuit is isolated within the sinus node itself, whether perisinus atrial tissue is necessary, or whether re-entry around a portion of the crista terminalis is responsible. The fact that this arrhythmia, like AVNRT, responds to vagal maneuvers and adenosine, however, suggests that sinus node tissue is involved in the re-entrant circuit.

6.1.4.3. Presentation
The incidence of sinus node re-entry tachycardia in patients undergoing electrophysiological study for SVT ranges between 1.8% and 16.9% and up to 27% for those with focal AT. Contrary to popular belief, there is a high incidence of underlying organic heart disease in patients with sinus node re-entry tachycardia. Patients present with symptoms of palpitations, lightheadedness, and presyncope. Syncope is extremely rare, as the rates of the tachycardia are rarely higher than 180bpm. An important clue for diagnosis is the paroxysmal nature of the attacks.

6.1.4.4. Diagnosis
Sinus node re-entry tachycardia is diagnosed on the basis of invasive and noninvasive criteria.⁴³Clinically, the following features are highly suggestive of this arrhythmia:

1. The tachycardia and its associated symptoms areparoxysmal.
   
2. P-wave morphology is identical to sinus rhythm with the vector directed from superior to inferior and from right to left.
   
3. Endocardial atrial activation is in a high-to-low and right-to-left pattern, with an activation sequence similar to that of sinus rhythm.
   
4. Induction and/or termination of the arrhythmia occurs with premature atrial stimuli.
   
5. Termination occurs with vagal maneuvers or adenosine.
   
6. Induction of the arrhythmia is independent of atrial or AV-nodal conduction time.
   

6.1.4.5. Treatment
There have been no controlled trials of drug prophylaxis involving patients with sinus node re-entrant tachycardia. Clinically suspected cases of symptomatic sinus node re-entrant tachycardia may respond to vagal maneuvers, adenosine, amiodarone, beta blockers, nondihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers, or even digoxin. Patients whose tachyarrhythmias are well tolerated and easily controlled by vagal maneuvers and/or drug therapy should not be considered for electrophysiological studies. Electrophysiological studies are indicated for patients with frequent or poorly tolerated episodes of tachycardia that do not adequately respond to drug therapy and for patients in whom the exact nature of the tachycardia is uncertain and for whom electrophysiological studies would aid appropriate therapy. Radiofrequency catheter ablation of persistent sinus node re-entry tachycardias identified through electrophysiological study is generally successful.⁵²

6.2. Atrioventricular nodal reciprocating tachycardia
6.2.1. Definitions and clinical features
Atrioventricular nodal reciprocating tachycardia is the most common form of PSVT. It is more prevalent in females; is associated with palpitations, dizziness, and neck pulsations; and is not usually associated with structural heart disease. Rates of tachycardia are often between 140 and 250 per minute.

Although the re-entrant circuit was initially thought to be confined to the compact AV node, a more contemporary view recognizes the usual participation of perinodal atrial tissue as the most common component of the re-entrant circuit. It has been shown convincingly, however, that AVNRT may persist without participation of atrial tissue. Atrioventricular nodal reciprocating tachycardia involves reciprocation between two functionally and anatomically distinct pathways. In most cases, the fast pathway appears to be located near the apex of Koch's triangle. The slow pathway extends inferoposterior to the compact AV-node tissue and stretches along the septal margin of the tricuspid annulus at the level of, or slightly superior to, the coronary sinus.

During typical AVNRT, the fast pathway serves asthe retrograde limb of the circuit, whereas the slow pathway is the anterograde limb (i.e., slow-fast AV-node re-entry). After conduction through the slow pathway to the His bundle and ventricle, brisk conduction back to the atrium over the fast pathway results in inscription of the shorter duration (40ms) P wave during or close to the QRS complex (less than or equal to 70ms) often with a pseudo-r‘ in V1 (see Fig. 3). Less commonly (approximately 5% to 10%), the tachycardia circuit is reversed such that conduction proceeds anterogradely over the fast pathway and retrogradely over the slow pathway (i.e., fast-slow AV-node re-entry, or atypical AVNRT) producing a long R-P tachycardia (i.e., atypical AVNRT) but other circuits may also be involved. The P wave, negative in leads III and aVF, is inscribed prior to the QRS. Infrequently, both limbs of the tachycardia circuit are composed of slowly conducting tissue (i.e., slow-slow AV-node re-entry), and the P wave is inscribed after the QRS (i.e., RP interval more than or equal to 70ms).

6.2.2. Acute treatment
Acute evaluation and treatment of the patient with PSVT are discussed in Sections IV-A and IV-B.

6.2.3. Long-term pharmacologic therapy
For patients with frequent, recurrent sustained episodes of AVNRT who prefer long-term oral therapy instead of catheter ablation, a spectrum of antiarrhythmic agents is available. Standard therapy includes nondihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers, beta blockers, and digoxin. In patients without structural heart disease who do not respond to AV-nodal-blocking agents, the class Ic drugs flecainide and propafenone have become the preferred choice. In most cases, class III drugs, such as sotalol or amiodarone, are unnecessary.⁵³Class Ia drugs, such as quinidine, procainamide, and disopyramide, have limited appeal due to their multidosing regimens, modestefficacy, and adverse and proarrhythmic effects.

A major limitation in evaluating antiarrhythmic agents for treating AVNRT is the general absence of large multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled studies.

6.2.3.1. Prophylactic pharmacologic therapy

1. Calcium-Channel Blockers, Beta Blockers, and Digoxin. Comments regarding the long-term efficacy of calcium-channel blockers, beta blockers, and digoxin taken orally for management of AVNRT are limited by the small number of randomized patients studied. A small randomized (11 patients), double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial showed that verapamil taken orally decreases the number and duration of both patient-reported and electrophysiologically-recorded episodes. A similar finding was demonstrated with doses of 360 to 480mg/d with a trend toward greater effect with higher doses; however, the study was underpowered to detect a modest difference.
   Oral digoxin (0.375mg/d), verapamil (480mg/d), and propranolol (240mg/d) showed similar efficacy in 11 patients in a randomized, double-blinded, crossover study. There was no difference among the drugs with respect to frequency or duration of PSVT.
   
2. Class I Drugs. The data showing efficacy of procainamide, quinidine, and disopyramide are from the older literature and are derived from small studies. These drugs are rarely used for treating AVNRT today.
   Long-term benefits of oral flecainide in AVNRT were initially shown in an open-labeled study. At doses between 200 and 300mg/d, flecainide completely suppressed episodes in 65% of patients. Several double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials have confirmed the efficacy of flecainide for prevention of recurrences. Events are reduced when compared with placebo, with an increase in the median time to the first recurrence and a greater interval between attacks. Open-labelled, long-term studies suggest excellent chronic tolerance and safety. In patients without structural heart disease, 7.6% discontinued the drug due to a suboptimal clinical response, and 5% discontinued it because of noncardiac (usually central nervous system) side effects. Class Ic agents (i.e., flecainide and propafenone) are contraindicated for patients with structural heart disease. Moreover, class Ic drugs are often combined with beta-blocking agents to enhance efficacy and reduce the risk of one-to-one conduction over the AV node if atrial flutter occurs.
   Flecainide appears to have greater long-term efficacy than verapamil. Although both drugs (median doses 200mg/d and 240mg/d, respectively) have an equivalent reduction in the frequency of episodes, 30% of patients had complete suppression of all symptomatic episodes with flecainide, whereas 13% had complete suppression with verapamil. Discontinuation rates due to adverse effects were equivalent, 19% and 24%, respectively.
   Propafenone is also an effective drug for prophylaxis of AVNRT. In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, in which time to treatment failure was analyzed, the RR of treatment failure for placebo vs propafenone was 6.8. A single-center, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study showed that propafenone (300mg taken three times per day) reduced the recurrence rate to one-fifth of that of placebo.
   
3. Class III Drugs. Limited prospective data are available for use of class III drugs (e.g., amiodarone, sotalol, dofetilide). Although many have been used effectively to prevent recurrences, routine use should be avoided due to their toxicities, including proarrhythmia (i.e., torsades de pointes). A placebo-controlled trial found sotalol to be superior to placebo in prolonging time to recurrence of PSVT. With regard to dofetilide, a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled study showed that patients with PSVT had a 50% probability of complete symptomatic suppression with dofetilide over a 6-month follow-up (500µg taken twice per day), whereas the probability of suppression in the control group was 6% (P less than 0.001). There were no proarrhythmic events.⁵³In this study, dofetilide was shown to be as effective as propafenone (150mg taken three times per day).
   Little data exists regarding the effects of amiodarone on AVNRT. In one open-labeled study in the electrophysiology laboratory, IV amiodarone (5mg kg^–15min^–1) terminated tachycardia in seven out of nine patients. Treatment with oral amiodarone (maintenance dose 200 to 400mg/d) for 66±24 days prevented recurrence and inducibility in all patients, with its predominant effect being the depression of conduction in the retrograde fast pathway. Of note, amiodarone has been shown to be safe in structural heart disease, particularly LV dysfunction.
   

6.2.3.2. Single-dose oral therapy (pill-in-the-pocket)
Single-dose therapy refers to administration of a drug only during an episode of tachycardia for the purpose of termination of the arrhythmia when vagal maneuvers alone are not effective. This approach is appropriate to consider for patients with infrequent episodes of AVNRT that are prolonged (i.e., lasting hours) but yet well tolerated,⁵⁴and obviates exposure of patients to chronic and unnecessary therapy between their rare arrhythmic events. This approach necessitates the use of a drug that has a short time to take effect (i.e., immediate-release preparations). Candidate patients should befree of significant LV dysfunction, sinus bradycardia, or pre-excitation.

A single oral dose of flecainide (approximately 3mg/kg) has been reported to terminate acute episodes of AVNRT in adolescents and young adults without structural heart disease, although it offered no benefit compared with placebo in other studies.⁵⁴

Single-dose oral therapy with diltiazem (120mg) plus propranolol (80mg) has been shown to be superior to both placebo and flecainide in sequential testing in 33 patients with PSVT in terms of conversion to sinus rhythm.⁵⁴Favourable results comparing diltiazem plus propranolol with placebo have also been reported by others. Hypotension and sinus bradycardia are rare complications. Single-dose therapy with diltiazem plus propranolol is associated with a significant reduction in emergency room visits in appropriately selected patients.⁵⁴

6.2.4. Catheter ablation
Targeting the slow pathway along the posteroseptal region of the tricuspid annulus markedly reduces the risk of heart block and is the preferable approach. A prospective, randomized comparison of the fast- and slow-pathway approaches demonstrates equivalent success rates. Advantages of slow-pathway ablation include a lower incidence of complete AV block (1% vs 8%) and the absence of the hemodynamic consequences of marked prolongation of the PR interval. Hence, slow pathway ablation is always used initially and fast pathway ablation is considered only when slow pathway ablation fails.

The NASPE Prospective Catheter Ablation Registryincluded 1197 patients who underwent AV-nodal modification for AVNRT. Success was achieved in 96.1%, and the only significant complication was a 1% incidence of second-degree or third-degree AV block.⁵⁵These data have been confirmed by others.⁵⁶Atrioventricular block may complicate slow-pathway ablation caused by posterior displacement of the fast pathway, superior displacement of the slow pathway (and coronary sinus), or inadvertent anterior displacement of the catheter during RF application. Pre-existing first-degree AV block does not appear to increase appreciably the risk of developing complete AV block, although caution is advised. The recurrence rate after ablation is approximately 3% to 7%.^56,57

Ablation of the slow pathway may be performed in patients with documented SVT (which is morphologically consistent with AVNRT) but in whom only dual AV-nodal physiology (but not tachycardia) is demonstrated during electrophysiological study. Because arrhythmia induction is not an available endpoint for successful ablation in this circumstance, the surrogate endpoint of an accelerated junctional rhythm during ablation is a good indication of slow-pathway ablation.

Slow-pathway ablation may be considered at the discretion of the physician when sustained (more than 30s) AVNRT is induced incidentally during an ablation procedure directed at a different clinical tachycardia.

Indications for ablation depend on clinical judgment and patient preference. Factors that contribute to the therapeutic decision include the frequency and duration of tachycardia, tolerance of symptoms, effectiveness and tolerance of antiarrhythmic drugs, the need for lifelong drug therapy, and the presence of concomitant structural heart disease. Catheter ablation has become the preferred therapy, over long-term pharmacologic therapy, for management of patients with AVNRT. The decision to ablate or proceed with drug therapy as initial therapy is, however, often patient specific, related to lifestyle issues (e.g., planned pregnancy, competitive athlete, recreational pilot), affected by individual inclinations or aversions with regard to an invasive procedure or the chronicity of drug therapy, and influenced by the availability of an experienced center for ablation. Because drug efficacy is in the range of 30% to 50%, catheter ablation may be offered as first-line therapy for patients with frequent episodes of tachycardia. Patients considering RF ablation must be willing to accept the risk, albeit low, of AV block and pacemaker implantation. Table 3lists recommendations for long-term treatment of patients with recurrent AVNRT.

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 3 Recommendations for long-term treatment of patients with recurrent AVNRT

 
6.3. Focal and nonparoxysmal junctional tachycardia
6.3.1. Focal junctional tachycardia
6.3.1.1. Definition
Abnormally rapid discharges from the junctional region have been designated by a number of terms, each of which has deficiencies. For example, some refer to these disorders as ‘junctional ectopic tachycardia’. The problem with this term is redundancy because all pacemakers outside of the sinus node are, in fact, ectopic. The term ‘automatic junctional tachycardia’ suggests that the dominant mechanism is abnormal automaticity; however, mechanisms other than abnormal automaticity may be operative. The writing committee believes it is reasonable to designate these arrhythmias as focal junctional tachycardia, which has a neutral connotation with regard to arrhythmic mechanism.

6.3.1.2. Diagnoses
The unifying feature of focal junctional tachycardias is their origin from the AV node or His bundle. This site of arrhythmia origin results in varied ECG manifestations because the arrhythmia requires participation of neither the atrium nor the ventricle for its propagation. The ECG features of focal junctional tachycardia include heart rates of 110 to 250bpm and a narrow complex or typical BBB conduction pattern. Atrioventricular dissociation is often present (Fig. 8), although one-to-one retrograde conduction may be transiently observed. On occasion, the junctional rhythm is quite erratic, suggesting AF. Finally, isolated, concealed junctional extrasystoles that fail to conduct to the ventricles may produce episodic AV block by rendering the AV node intermittentlyrefractory.

View larger version (21K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 8 Surface ECG recording from leads V1, II, and V5 in a patient with focal junctional tachycardia. The upper panel shows sinus rhythm. The lower panel shows tachycardia onset with the characteristic finding of isorhythmic AV dissociation (arrows). The large arrow signifies continuous recording. AV indicates atrioventricular.

 
During electrophysiological study, each ventricular depolarization is preceded by a His bundle deflection.⁶⁸The precise electrophysiological mechanism of this arrhythmia is thought to be either abnormal automaticity or triggered activity based on its response to beta-adrenergic stimulation and calcium-channel blockade.

6.3.1.3. Clinical features
Focal junctional tachycardia, also known as automatic or paroxysmal junctional tachycardia, is a very uncommon arrhythmia. It is rare in the pediatric population and even less common in adults. Under the common umbrella of ‘focal junctional tachycardia’ are several distinct clinical syndromes. The most prevalent among these, so-called ‘congenital junctional ectopic tachycardia’ and ‘postoperative junctional ectopic tachycardia’, occur exclusively in pediatric patients and are, therefore, outside of the scope of this document.

Focal junctional tachycardia usually presents in young adulthood. It has been speculated that this form of arrhythmia is an adult extension of the pediatric disorder commonly termed ‘congenital junctional ectopic tachycardia’. If this is the case, then it appears to be more benign than is the pediatric form. This arrhythmia is usually exercise or stress related and may be found in patients with structurally normal hearts or in patients with congenital abnormalities, such as atrial or ventricular septal defects. The patients are often quite symptomatic and, if untreated, may develop heart failure, particularly if their tachycardia is incessant.

6.3.1.4. Management
Relatively little information is available about the response of rapid focal junctional tachycardia to suppressive drug therapy. Patients typically show some responsiveness to beta blockade. The tachycardia can be slowed or terminated with IV flecainide and shows some positive response to long-term oral therapy. Drug therapy is only variably successful, and ablative techniques have been introduced to cure tachycardia. Catheter ablation can be curative by destroying foci adjacent to the AV node but the procedure appears to be associated with risk (5% to 10%) of AV block.

In one series, 17 patients with focal junctional tachycardia were referred for electrophysiological testing and possible catheter ablation. Ten of 11 patients undergoing RF catheter ablation in this series had acute tachycardia elimination. Eight patients remained symptom free during follow-up.⁶⁸

6.3.2. Nonparoxysmal junctional tachycardia
6.3.2.1. Definition and clinical features
Nonparoxysmal junctional tachycardia is a benign arrhythmia that is characterized by a narrow complex tachycardia with rates of 70 to 120bpm. The arrhythmia mechanism is thought to be enhanced automaticity arising from a high junctional focus¹⁴or in response to a triggered mechanism. It shows a typical ‘warm-up’ and ‘cool-down’ pattern and cannot be terminated by pacing manoeuvers. The most important feature about this tachycardia is that it may be a marker for a serious underlying condition, such as digitalis toxicity, postcardiac surgery, hypokalemia, or myocardial ischaemia. Other associated conditions include chronic obstructive lung disease with hypoxia, and inflammatory myocarditis. Unlike the more rapid form of focal junctional tachycardia, there is commonly one-to-one AV association. In some cases, particularly in the setting of digitalis toxicity, anterograde AV-nodal Wenckebach conduction block may be observed.

The diagnosis must be differentiated from other types of narrow complex tachycardia, including AT, AVNRT, and AVRT. Usually, the clinical setting in which the arrhythmia presents and the ECG findings allow the clinician to ascertain the arrhythmia mechanism. In some cases, however, the mechanism may be determined only with invasive electrophysiological testing.

6.3.2.2. Management
The mainstay of managing nonparoxysmal junctional tachycardia is to correct the underlying abnormality. Withholding digitalis when junctional tachycardia is the only clinical manifestation of toxicity is usually adequate. If, however, ventricular arrhythmias or high-grade heart block are observed, then treatment with digitalis-binding agents may be indicated. It is not unusual for automatic activity from the AV node to exceed the sinus rate, leading to loss of AV synchrony. This should be regarded as a physiological condition, and no specific therapy is indicated. Persisting junctional tachycardia may be suppressed by beta blockers or calcium-channel blockers.¹⁴In rare cases, the emergence of a junctional rhythm is the result of sinus node dysfunction. Sympathetic stimulation of the AV-junction automaticity can lead to an AV-junctional rhythm that supersedes the sinus rhythm. In these cases, symptoms mimicking ‘pacemaker syndrome’ may occur due to retrograde conduction from the AV junction to the atrium and resultant atrial contraction against closed atrioventricular valves, resulting in cannon A waves and possible hypotension. Atrial pacing is an effective treatment for this condition. Table 4lists recommendations for treatment of focal and nonparoxysmal junctional tachycardia syndromes.

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 4 Recommendations for treatment of focal and nonparoxysmal junctional tachycardia syndromes

 
6.4. Atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (extra nodal accessory pathways)
Typical accessory pathways are extra nodal pathways that connect the myocardium of the atrium and the ventricle across the AV groove. Delta waves detectable on an ECG have been reported to be present in 0.15% to 0.25% of the general population. Pathway conduction may be intermittent. A higher prevalence of 0.55% has been reported in first-degree relatives of patients with accessory pathways. Accessory pathways can be classified on the basis of their location along the mitral or tricuspid annulus; type of conduction (decremental [i.e., progressive delay in accessory pathway conduction in response to increased paced rates] or nondecremental); and whether they are capable of anterograde conduction, retrograde conduction, or both. Accessory pathways usually exhibit rapid, nondecremental conduction, similar to that present in normal His-Purkinje tissue and atrial or ventricular myocardium. Approximately 8% of accessory pathways display decremental anterograde or retrograde conduction. The term ‘permanent form of junctional reciprocating tachycardia’ is used to refer to a rare clinical syndrome involving a slowly conducting, concealed, usually posteroseptal (inferoseptal) accessory pathway. This syndrome is characterized by an incessant SVT, usually with negative P waves in leads II, III, and aVF and a long RP interval (RP more than PR).

Accessory pathways that are capable of only retrograde conduction are referred to as ‘concealed’, whereas those capable of anterograde conduction are ‘manifest’, demonstrating pre-excitation on a standard ECG. The degree of pre-excitation is determined by the relative conduction to the ventricle over the AV node His bundle axis vs the accessory pathway. In some patients, anterograde conduction is apparent only with pacing close to the atrial insertion site, as, for example, for left-lateral-located pathways. Manifest accessory pathways usually conduct in both anterograde and retrograde directions. Those that conduct in the anterograde direction only are uncommon, whereas those that conduct in the retrograde direction are common.

The diagnosis of WPW syndrome is reserved for patients who have both pre-excitation and tachyarrhythmias. Among patients with WPW syndrome, AVRT is the most common arrhythmia, accounting for 95% ofre-entrant tachycardias that occur in patients with an accessory pathway.

Atrioventricular re-entry tachycardia is further subclassified into orthodromic and antidromic AVRT. During orthodromic AVRT, the re-entrant impulse conducts over the AV node and the specialized conduction system from the atrium to the ventricle and utilizes the accessory pathway for conduction from the ventricle to the atrium. During antidromic AVRT, the re-entrant impulse travels in the reverse direction, with anterograde conduction from the atrium to the ventricle occurring via the accessory pathway and retrograde conduction over the AV node or a second accessory pathway. Antidromic AVRT occurs in only 5% to 10% of patients with WPW syndrome. Pre-excited tachycardias can also occur in patients with AT, atrial flutter, AF, or AVNRT, with the accessory pathway acting as a bystander (i.e., not a critical part of the tachycardia circuit).

Atrial fibrillation is a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia in patients with WPW syndrome. If an accessory pathway has a short anterograde refractory period, then rapid repetitive conduction to the ventricles during AF can result in a rapid ventricular response with subsequent degeneration to VF. It has been estimated that one-third of patients with WPW syndrome also have AF. Accessory pathways appear to play a pathophysiological role in the development of AF in these patients, as most are young and do not have structural heart disease. Rapid AVRT may play a role in initiating AF in these patients. Surgical or catheter ablation of accessory pathways usually eliminates AF as well as AVRT.⁸¹

6.4.1. Sudden death in WPW syndrome and risk stratification
The incidence of sudden cardiac death in patients with the WPW syndrome has been estimated to range from 0.15% to 0.39% over 3- to 10-year follow-up. It is unusual for cardiac arrest to be the first symptomatic manifestation of WPW syndrome. Conversely, in about half of the cardiac arrest cases in WPW patients, it is the first manifestation of WPW. Given the potential for AF among patients with WPW syndrome and the concern about sudden cardiac death resulting from rapid pre-excited AF, even the low annual incidence of sudden death among patients with the WPW syndrome is of note and supports the concept of liberal indications for catheter ablation.

Studies of WPW syndrome patients who have experienced a cardiac arrest have retrospectively identified a number of markers that identify patients at increased risk. These include (1) a shortest pre-excited R-R interval less than 250ms during spontaneous or induced AF, (2) a history of symptomatic tachycardia, (3) multiple accessory pathways, and (4) Ebstein's anomaly. A high incidence of sudden death has been reported in familial WPW. This familial presentation is, however, exceedingly rare.⁸²Several noninvasive and invasive tests have been proposed as useful in risk-stratifying patients for sudden death risk. The detection of intermittent pre-excitation, which is characterized by an abrupt loss of the delta wave and normalization of the QRS complex, is evidence that an accessory pathway has a relatively long refractory period and is unlikely to precipitate VF. The loss of pre-excitation after administration of the antiarrhythmic drug procainamide has also been used to indicate a low-risk subgroup. Noninvasive tests are considered inferior to invasive electrophysiological assessment for risk of sudden cardiac death. For this reason, noninvasive tests currently play little role in patient management.

6.4.2. Acute treatment
The approach to acute evaluation and management during a sustained regular tachycardia is covered in Sections IV. A and IV. B. The approach to acute termination of these arrhythmias generally differs from that used for long-term suppression and prevention of further episodes of SVT.

6.4.2.1. Special considerations for patients with wide-complex (pre-excited) tachycardias
In patients with antidromic tachycardia, drug treatment may be directed at the accessory pathway or at the AV node because both are critical components of the tachycardia circuit. Atrioventricular nodal-blocking drugs would, however, be ineffective in patients who have anterograde conduction over one pathway and retrograde conduction over a separate accessory pathway because the AV node is not involved in the circuit. Adenosine should be used with caution because it may produce AF with a rapid ventricular rate in pre-excited tachycardias. Ibutilide, procainamide, or flecainide, which are capable of slowing the conduction through the pathway, are preferred.

Pre-excited tachycardias occurring in patients with either AT or atrial flutter with a bystander accessory pathway may present with a one-to-one conduction over the pathway. Caution is advised against AV-nodal-blocking agents, which would obviously be ineffective in this situation. Antiarrhythmic drugs, which prevent rapid conduction through the bystander pathway, are preferable, even if they may not convert the atrial arrhythmia. Similarly, it is preferable to treat pre-excited AF by either IV ibutilide, flecainide, or procainamide.

6.4.3. Long-term pharmacologic therapy
Antiarrhythmic drugs represent one therapeutic option for management of accessory pathway-mediated arrhythmias, but they have been increasingly replaced by catheter ablation. Antiarrhythmic drugs that primarily modify conduction through the AV node include digoxin, verapamil, beta blockers, adenosine, and diltiazem. Antiarrhythmic drugs that depress conduction across the accessory pathway include class I drugs, such as procainamide, disopyramide, propafenone, and flecainide, as well as class III antiarrhythmic drugs, such as ibutilide, sotalol, and amiodarone.

6.4.3.1. Prophylactic pharmacologic therapy
There have been no controlled trials of drug prophylaxis involving patients with AVRT; however, a number of small, nonrandomized trials have been performed (each involving less than 50 patients), and they have reported the safety and efficacy of drug therapy for maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with supraventricular arrhythmias. A subset of the patients in these studies had AVRT as their underlying arrhythmia. Available data do not allow a comparison of the efficacy of these drugs relative to one another. The drugs available to treat AVRT include any drug that alters either conduction through the AV node (e.g., nondihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers, beta blockers, digoxin) or a drug that alters conduction through the atrium, ventricle, or accessory pathway (e.g., class Ia, Ic, or III antiarrhythmic agents). The available data are outlined below. Of note is that no studies have examined the efficacy of chronic oral beta blockers in the treatment of AVRT and/or WPW syndrome. The absence of studies specifically examining the role of beta-blocker therapy in the treatment of WPW syndrome likely reflects the fact that catheter ablation is the therapy of choice for these patients. Despite the absence of data from clinical trials, chronic oral beta-blocker therapy may be used for treatment of patients with WPW syndrome, particularly if their accessory pathway has been demonstrated during electrophysiological testing to be incapable of rapid anterogradeconduction.

1. Propafenone. The largest published study that reported the efficacy of propafenone in adult patients involved 11 individuals. Propafenone resulted in anterograde conduction block in the accessory pathway in 4 of 9 patients and retrograde block in 3 of 11 patients. Atrioventricular re-entry tachycardia was rendered noninducible in 6 of 11 patients. During 9±6 months of follow-up, none of the 10 patients discharged on a combination of propafenone and a beta blocker experienced a recurrence. No major side effects were reported. Other small trials have evaluated the efficacy of propafenone in the treatment of AVRT in children. The largest of these involved 41 children. Chronic administration of propafenone was effective in 69%. Side effects occurred in 25% of these patients.
   
2. Flecainide. A number of studies have examined the acute and long-term efficacy of oral and IV flecainide in the treatment of patients with AVRT. The largest of these studies involved 20 patients with AVRT. The oral administration of flecainide (200 to 300mg/d) resulted in an inability to induce sustained tachycardia in 17 of the 20 patients. The electrophysiological effects of flecainide were partially reversed by administration of isoproterenol. During 15±7 months of follow-up on oral flecainide treatment, 3 patients developed a recurrence of tachycardia. Other studies have reported similar findings. The addition of a beta blocker results in greater efficacy, with more than 90% of patients achieving abolition of symptomatic tachycardia. In addition to studies that specifically focused on patients with a known AVRT, several randomized trials have evaluated the efficacy of flecainide in the treatment of patients with PSVT of undetermined tachycardia mechanism. One study enrolled 34 patients with PSVT into a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with an 8-week crossover trial design. Flecainide was shown to be superior to placebo; 8 of the 34 patients had a recurrence during flecainide therapy, as compared with 29 of 34 patients having a recurrence on placebo. Treatment with flecainide also increases the time to first symptomatic event and time to subsequent events.
   
3. Sotalol. The efficacy of oral sotalol in the prevention of AVRT has been reported in a single study, which involved 17 patients with an accessory pathway. Fourteen of 15 patients with inducible sustained tachycardia during electrophysiological testing continued to have inducible tachycardia after administration of IV sotalol. Thirteen of the 16 patients who were discharged taking oral sotalol were free of symptomatic recurrences during a median of 36 months of follow-up.
   
4. Amiodarone. Several studies have evaluated the efficacy of amiodarone in the treatment of patients with accessory pathway-mediated tachycardias. These studies, however, do not demonstrate that amiodarone is superior to class Ic antiarrhythmic agents or sotalol. As a result of these findings, combined with the well-recognized organ toxicity associated with amiodarone and the high rate of discontinuation of this drug, amiodarone generally is not warranted for treatment of patients with accessory pathways. Exceptions are for patients with structural heart disease who are not thought to be candidates for catheter ablation.
   
5. Verapamil. The efficacy of verapamil in the prevention of AVRT has been reported in a single study, which involved seven patients. Four of these 17 patients continued to have inducible AVRT during electrophysiological testing despite treatment with oral verapamil. Adequate follow-up data in these patients were not provided in this manuscript. Intravenous verapamil can precipitate haemodynamic deterioration during AF. Verapamil and diltiazem should not be used as the sole therapy for patients with accessory pathways that might be capable of rapid conduction during AF. This concern also applies to digoxin, which also should not be used in this situation.
   
6. Other Drugs. No studies have been performed to determine the short- or long-term efficacy of procainamide or quinidine in the treatment of AVRT.
   

6.4.3.2. Single-dose oral therapy (pill-in-the-pocket)
Some patients with infrequent episodes of tachycardia may be managed with the single-dose ‘pill-in-the-pocket’ approach: taking an antiarrhythmic drug only at the onset of a tachycardia episode.⁵⁴This approach to treatment is reserved for patients without pre-excitation and with infrequent and hemodynamically tolerated tachycardia. A recent study reported that 94% of induced PSVT episodes were terminated in the electrophysiology laboratory within 32±22min by administration of a combination of diltiazem (120mg) plus propranolol (80mg). This treatment was successful in terminating PSVT within 2h during outpatient follow-up in 81% of patients. Another finding of this study was that flecainide, when given as a single dose for acute termination of PSVT, was significantly less effective than the combination of diltiazem and propranolol.

6.4.4. Catheter ablation
Catheter ablation of accessory pathways is performed in conjunction with a diagnostic electrophysiological test. The purposes of the electrophysiological test are to confirm the presence of an accessory pathway, determine its conduction characteristics, and define its role in the patient's clinical arrhythmia. Once the arrhythmia is localized, ablation is performed using a steerable ablation catheter. There have been no prospective, randomized clinical trials that have evaluated the safety and efficacy of catheter ablation of accessory pathways; however, the results of catheter ablation of accessory pathways have been reported in a large number of single-center trials, one multicenter trial,⁵⁷and several prospective registries.⁵⁵The initial efficacy of catheter ablation of accessory pathways is approximately 95% in most series.⁵⁷The success rate for catheter ablation of left free-wall accessory pathways is slightly higher than for catheter ablation of accessory pathways in other locations. After an initially successful procedure, resolution of the inflammation or edema associated with the initial injury allows recurrence of accessory pathway conduction in approximately 5% of patients. Accessory pathways that recur can usually be successfully ablated during a second session.

Complications associated with catheter ablation of accessory pathways result from radiation exposure, vascular access (e.g., hematomas, deep venous thrombosis, arterial perforation, arteriovenous fistula, pneumothorax), catheter manipulation (e.g., valvular damage, microemboli, perforation of the coronary sinus or myocardial wall, coronary artery dissection, thrombosis), or delivery of RF energy (e.g., AV block, myocardial perforation, coronary artery spasm or occlusion, transient ischemic attacks, or cerebrovascular accidents).^55,57The procedure-related mortality reported for catheter ablation of accessory pathways ranges from 0% to 0.2%.^55,57The voluntary Multicenter European Radiofrequency Survey (MERFS) reported data from 2222 patients who underwent catheter ablation of an accessory pathway. The overall complication rate was 4.4%, including three deaths (0.13%). The 1995 NASPE survey of 5427 patients who underwent catheter ablations of an accessory pathway reported a total of 99 (1.82%) significant complications, including four procedure-related deaths (0.08%). Among the 500 patients who underwent catheter ablation of an accessory pathway as part of a prospective, multicenter clinical trial, there was one death (0.2%). This patient died of dissection of the left main coronary artery during an attempt at catheter ablation of a left free-wall accessory pathway.⁵⁷The most common major complications are complete AV block and cardiac tamponade. The incidence of inadvertent complete AV block ranges from 0.17% to 1.0%. Most occur in the setting of attempted ablation of septal accessory pathways located close to the AV junction. The frequency of cardiac tamponade varies between 0.13% and 1.1%.

6.4.5. Management of patients with asymptomatic accessory pathways
An ECG pattern of pre-excitation is occasionally encountered in a subject who has no symptoms of arrhythmia. The role of electrophysiological testing and catheter ablation in asymptomatic patients with pre-excitation is controversial. One-third of asymptomatic individuals younger than 40 years of age when pre-excitation was identified eventually developed symptoms, whereas no patients in whom pre-excitation was first uncovered after the age of 40 years developed symptoms. Most patients with asymptomatic pre-excitation have a good prognosis; cardiac arrest is rarely the first manifestation of the disease. Prior studies have reported that approximately 20% of asymptomatic patients will demonstrate a rapid ventricular rate during AF induced during electrophysiological testing. During follow-up, however, very few patients developed symptomatic arrhythmias, and none of these individuals experienced a cardiac arrest. The positive predictive value of invasive electrophysiological testing is considered to be too low to justify routine use in asymptomatic patients.⁸³The decision to ablate pathways in individuals with high-risk occupations, such as school bus drivers, pilots, and scuba divers,⁸³is made on the basis of individual clinical considerations. These recommendations are likely to remain unchanged despite the results of a study that identified the results of electrophysiological testing as an important predictor of arrhythmic events in patients with asymptomatic pre-excitation.⁸⁴This study reported the follow-up of 212 patients with asymptomatic pre-excitation, all of whom underwent a baseline electrophysiological study. After 38±16 months of follow-up, 33 patients became symptomatic, and 3 of these patients experienced VF (resulting in death in 1 patient). The most important factor in predicting outcome was the inducibility of AVRT or AF during the baseline electrophysiological study. The presence of multiple accessory pathways was also identified as a predictor of future arrhythmic events. Of the 115 noninducible patients, only 3.4% developed a symptomatic supraventricular arrhythmia during follow-up. In contrast, 62% of the 47 inducible patients developed a symptomatic arrhythmia during follow-up (including the 3 patients who experienced VF).

Patients with asymptomatic pre-excitation should be encouraged to seek medical expertise whenever arrhythmia-related symptoms occur. The potential value of electrophysiological testing in identifying high-risk patients who may benefit from catheter ablation must be balanced against the approximately 2% risk of a major complication associated with catheter ablation.

6.4.6. Summary of management
In general, patients who have WPW syndrome (i.e., pre-excitation and symptoms), and particularly those with hemodynamic instability during their arrhythmia, should undergo catheter ablation as first-line therapy. Patients who experience infrequent minimally symptomatic episodes of SVT who do not have evidence of pre-excitation can be treated with a variety of approaches. These patients with concealed accessory pathways can be managed as patients with AVNRT. Patient preference is always an important consideration. Catheter ablation has sufficient efficacy and low risk to be used for symptomatic patients, either as initial therapy or for patients experiencing side effects or arrhythmia recurrenceduring drug therapy. Table 5lists recommendations for long-term therapy of accessory pathway-mediated arrhythmias.

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 5 Recommendations for long-term therapy of accessory pathway-mediated arrhythmias

 
6.5. Focal atrial tachycardias
6.5.1. Definition and clinical presentation
Focal ATs are characterized by regular atrial activation from atrial areas with centrifugal spread.¹¹³Focal ATs are usually manifest by atrial rates between 100 and 250bpm and rarely at 300bpm. Neither the sinus nor the AV node plays a role in the initiation or perpetuation of the tachycardia.

Nonsustained AT is frequently found on Holter recordings and seldom associated with symptoms. Sustained focal ATs are relatively rare; they are diagnosed in about 10 to 15% of patients referred for catheter ablation of SVT.¹¹⁴The prevalence of focal AT has been calculated to be 0.34% in asymptomatic patients vs 0.46% in symptomatic patients.¹¹⁵

The outlook of patients with focal AT is usually benign with the exception of incessant forms, which may lead to tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy.¹¹⁶In adults, focal AT can occur in the absence of cardiac disease, but it is often associated with underlying cardiac abnormalities.¹¹⁴Atrial tachycardia, usually with AV block, may be produced by digitalis excess. This arrhythmia may be exacerbated by hypokalemia. Focal ATs may present as either paroxysmal or permanent tachycardias.

6.5.2. Diagnosis
In ATs, the P waves generally occur in the second half of the tachycardia cycle (see Section IV-B).Therefore, in ATs, the P wave is frequently obscured by the T wave of the preceding QRS complex (Fig. 9). The PR interval is directly influenced by the tachycardia rate. The presence of AV block during tachycardia excludes AVRT and makes AVNRT very unlikely. During ATs, an isoelectric baseline is usually present between P waves, and it is used to distinguish AT from typical or atypical flutter (i.e., saw-toothed or sinusoidal P-wave morphologies) (Figs. 10 and 11). In the presence of rapid rates and/or atrial conduction disturbances, however, P waves can be very wide without an isoelectric baseline, thus mimicking atrial flutter.¹¹³It should also be emphasized that an ECG pattern of AT with discrete P waves and isoelectric baselines does not rule out macro-re-entrant tachycardia, especially if complex structural heart disease is present and/or there has been surgery for congenital heart disease. The diagnosis of AT can be established with certainty only by an electrophysiological study, including mapping and entrainment.

View larger version (43K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 9 Focal atrial tachycardia showing a long RP interval relationship. The P wave in AT usually occurs in the latter part of the tachycardia cycle (arrows) but can appear earlier, depending on the rate and status of AV-nodal conduction. AT indicates atrial tachycardia; AV, atrioventricular.

 

View larger version (30K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 10 12-Lead ECG from a patient with counterclockwise cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent flutter. Note that the flutter waves in the inferior leads are predominantly negative (arrow), whereas the flutter waves in lead V1 are positive (arrow). ms indicates milliseconds.

 

View larger version (37K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 11 12-Lead ECG from a patient with clockwise cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent flutter. Note that the flutter waves are positive in the inferior leads and predominantly negative double waves in lead V1. ms indicates milliseconds.

 
Although definite localization of the source of AT requires intracardiac mapping, the P-wave morphology on the 12-lead surface ECG is different from sinus rhythm and may be useful for the determination of the site of origin of the focal AT. A negative P wave in lead I or aVL, or a positive P wave in lead V1, favours a left atrial origin. In addition, negative P waves in the inferior leads are suggestive of a caudal origin, whereas a positive P wave in those leads suggests a cranial origin. Of interest, the P waves during sinus rhythm may be similar to those originating from the high crista terminalis or right superior pulmonary vein.¹¹⁷The latter site will, however, often show a positive P wave in lead V1; hence, a change in P-wave polarity from sinus rhythm should arouse suspicion of a right superior pulmonary vein (PV) site. Multilead body surface potential mapping can be used to help localize the tachycardia site of origin.¹¹⁸

6.5.3. Site of origin and mechanisms
Focal ATs are not randomly distributed but rather tend to cluster over certain anatomical zones. The majority of right-sided ATs originate along the crista terminalis from the sinoatrial node to the AV node.^119,120In the left atrium, foci are often found in the pulmonary veins, in the atrial septum, or on the mitral annulus;¹²¹in many cases, they are generators for AF.

Focal ATs are characterized by radial spread of activation from a focus, with endocardial activation not extending through the entire atrial cycle. The mechanism of focal discharge is difficult to ascertain by clinical methods. Available information suggests that focal activity can be caused by abnormal or enhanced automaticity, triggered activity (due to delayed afterdepolarization), or micro-re-entry. The progressive increase in atrial rate with tachycardia onset (i.e., ‘warm-up’) and/or progressive decrease before tachycardia termination (i.e., ‘cool-down’) are suggestive of an automatic mechanism. Automatic ATs tend to be incessant,especially in children, whereas those attributed to triggered activity may be either incessant or paroxysmal.

6.5.3.1. Drug-induced atrial tachycardia
The drug most commonly associated with induction of focal AT is digitalis. This drug-induced AT is usually characterized by development of AT with AV block; hence, the ventricular rate is not excessively rapid. Serum digoxin levels are helpful for diagnoses. Treatment consists of discontinuing the digitalis. In cases of persistent advanced AV block, digitalis-binding agents may be considered.

6.5.4. Treatment
The efficacy of antiarrhythmic drugs is poorly defined because the clinical definition of focal ATs is often not very rigorous. No large studies have been conducted to assess the effect of pharmacologic treatment on patients with focal ATs, but both paroxysmal and incessant ATs are reported to be difficult to treat medically.

6.5.4.1. Acute treatment
On rare occasions, ATs may be terminated with vagal maneuvers. A significant proportion of ATs will terminate with administration of adenosine. Adenosine-sensitive ATs are usually focal in origin.^122,123Persistence of the tachycardia with AV block is also a common response to adenosine. In addition, ATs that are responsive to IV verapamil or beta blockers have been reported. It is conceivable that the mechanism of AT in these patients relates either to micro-re-entry, involving tissue with slow conduction, or to triggered activity. Class Ia or class Ic drugs may suppress automaticity or prolong action-potential duration and, hence, may be effective for some patients with AT.

For patients with automatic AT, atrial pacing (oradenosine) may result in transient postpacing slowing but no tachycardia termination. Similarly, DC cardioversion seldom terminates automatic ATs, but DC cardioversion may be successful for those in whom the tachycardia mechanism is micro-re-entry or triggered automaticity. An attempt at DC cardioversion should, therefore, be considered for patients with drug-resistant arrhythmia.

The usual acute therapy for AT consists of IV beta blockers or calcium-channel blockers for either termination, which is rare, or to achieve rate control through AV block, which is often difficult to achieve. Direct suppression of the tachycardia focus may be achieved by use of IV class Ia and Ic or class III (e.g., sotalol, amiodarone) agents. Intravenous class Ia or Ic agents may be taken by patients without cardiac failure, whereas IV amiodarone is preferred for those with poor ventricular function.¹¹⁶

6.5.4.2. Long-term pharmacologic therapy
The available studies pertaining to long-term pharmacologic therapy are observational, and there are problems in discerning whether the tachycardias were carefully differentiated from other mechanisms (i.e., AVRT or AVNRT) or from other forms of ATs. Review of the available data supports a recommendation for initial therapy with calcium-channel blockers or beta blockers because these agents may prove to be effective and have minimal side effects. If these drugs are unsuccessful, then class Ia, class Ic (flecainide and propafenone) in combination with an AV-nodal-blocking agent, or class III agents (sotalol and amiodarone) may be tried because they may prove to be effective. The potential benefit should be balanced by the potential risks of proarrhythmia and toxicity. Because ATs often occur in older patients and in the context of structural heart disease, class Ic agents should be used only after coronary artery disease is excluded.

6.5.4.3. Catheter ablation
Regardless of whether the arrhythmia is due to abnormal automaticity, triggering, or micro-re-entry, focal AT is ablated by targeting the site of origin of the AT.

Pooled data from 514 patients¹²⁴who underwent catheter ablation for focal AT showed an 86% success rate, with a recurrence rate of 8%.^{119,125–129}In these series, left atrial origins accounted for 18% of ATs, and 10% of patients had multiple foci. The incidence of significant complications is low (1% to 2%) in experienced centers, but includes cardiac perforation, damage to the right and left phrenic nerves and sinus node dysfunction. Ablation of AT from the atrial septum or Koch's triangle may produce AV block.

For patients with drug refractory AT or incessant AT, especially, when tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy has developed, the best therapy is catheter ablation of the focus. Table 6lists recommendations for treatment of focal atrial tachycardia.

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 6 Recommendations for treatment of focal atrial tachycardiaa

 
6.5.5. Multifocal atrial tachycardia
The diagnosis of MAT is made on the basis of finding an irregular tachycardia characterized by three or more different P-wave morphologies at different rates. The rhythm is always irregular and frequently confused with AF, but the rate is not excessively rapid. This arrhythmia is most commonly associated with underlying pulmonary disease but may result from metabolic or electrolyte derangements. It is seldom caused by digitalis excess. There is seldom success using antiarrhythmic agents, but a modicum of success has been reported using calcium-channel blockers. Beta blockers are usually contraindicated because of the presence of severe underlying pulmonary disease. Therapy is instead directed at correction of pulmonary disease and/or electrolyte abnormalities. Chronic therapy often requires use of calcium-channel blockers, as there is no role for DC cardioversion, antiarrhythmic drugs, or ablation.

6.6. Macro-re-entrant atrial tachycardia
6.6.1. Isthmus-dependent atrial flutter
Atrial flutter is characterized by an organized atrial rhythm with a rate typically between 250 and 350bpm. Electrophysiological studies have shown that this simple ECG definition includes tachycardias using a variety of re-entry circuits. The re-entry circuits often occupy large areas of the atrium and are referred to as ‘macro-re-entrant’. The classic type of atrial flutter (i.e., typical flutter) is dependent on the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI). The precise type of flutter and, in particular, dependence on a defined isthmus (see below) is an important consideration for catheter ablation but does not alter the initial approach to management.

6.6.1.1. Definitions of cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent flutter circuits
Isthmus-dependent flutter refers to circuits in which the arrhythmia involves the CTI. The most common patterns include a tachycardia showing a counterclockwise rotation (i.e., left anterior oblique view) around the tricuspid valve.¹¹³A less common pattern involves clockwise rotation around the tricuspid annulus (i.e., reverse typical flutter). Counterclockwise atrial flutter is characterized electrocardiographically by dominant negative flutter waves in the inferior leads and a positive flutter deflection in lead V1 with transition to a negative deflection in lead V6 at rates of 250 to 350bpm (Fig. 10). Clockwise isthmus-dependent flutter shows the opposite pattern (i.e., positive flutter waves in the inferior leads and wide, negative flutter waves in lead V1, transitioning to positive waves in lead V6) (Fig. 11). Patients may at times show unusual ECG patterns; hence, confirmation of isthmus involvement can be made only by entrainment pacing of the CTI during electrophysiological studies.

6.6.1.2. Other CTI-dependent flutter circuits
Isthmus-dependent flutter may also occur as double-wave or lower-loop re-entry. Double-wave re-entry is defined as a circuit in which two flutter waves simultaneously occupy the usual flutter pathway.¹⁴⁴This arrhythmia is transient, usually terminating within three to six complexes but may, on rare occasions, deteriorate into AF.¹⁴⁴Lower-loop re-entry is defined as a flutter circuit in which the re-entry wavefront circulates around the inferior vena cava due to conduction across the crista terminalis.^145–147The resultant circuit may produce unusual surface ECG patterns, but these arrhythmias are still dependent on CTI conduction and, hence, are amenable to ablation of the isthmus.

6.6.1.3. Pathophysiology and treatment rationale
Cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent flutter is caused by a macro-re-entrant right atrial circuit around the tricuspid annulus. This circuit contains a propagating wavefront and an excitable gap. The crista terminalis or sinus venosa (i.e., area between superior and inferior cava) is thought to be the functional posterior barrier, whereas the tricuspid annulus forms the anterior barrier. General mechanisms discussed previously (see Section III) apply to flutter circuits. For example, class Ia drugs have been shown to decrease conduction velocity and prolong refractoriness in the flutter circuit; overall, these drugs tend to shorten the excitable gap. Class Ic drugs depress conduction and can slow flutter. In contrast, class III drugs (i.e., ibutilide, dofetilide, or amiodarone) prolong refractoriness and may terminate flutter because the circulating wavefront encounters tissue that is refractory. Rapid, atrial overdrive pacing can terminate the arrhythmia when capturing stimuli penetrate the circuit early enough to produce block in both directions (i.e., antidromic and orthodromic) in the circuit. In addition, the efficacy of pacing can be enhanced by antiarrhythmic drug therapy that facilitates penetration of the circuit by pacing impulses. Direct current cardioversion is a very effective mode of therapy because of rapid homogeneous depolarization of the entire atrium. The practical implications of these findings are discussed in the appropriate therapy sections.

6.6.1.4. Clinical presentation
Patients with atrial flutter commonly present with acute symptoms of palpitations, dyspnea, fatigue, or chest pain. In contrast, this arrhythmia may also present with more insidious symptoms or conditions, such as exercise-induced fatigue, worsening heart failure, or pulmonary disease.

Atrial flutter occurs in approximately 25% to 35% of patients with AF and may be associated with more intense symptoms owing to more rapid ventricular rates. In most instances, patients with atrial flutter present with a two-to-one AV-conduction pattern. The flutter rate is approximately 300 per minute with a ventricular response of 150bpm. (Flutter with varying AV block can result in a grossly irregular rhythm.) In exceptional circumstances, one-to-one AV conduction may occur in patients during exercise or in those with rapid AV-nodal conduction and may be associated with life-threatening symptoms. Class Ic drugs may, by slowing the atrial rate, also cause one-to-one AV conduction and should, therefore, be combined with AV-nodal-blocking agents. Patients with accessory AV pathways capable of rapid conduction also present with rapid ventricular rate and life-threatening symptoms. Patients with impaired cardiac function, in whom the coordinated contribution of atrial function and regular rate are hemodynamically important, can experience hemodynamic deterioration with the development of atrial flutter even if the ventricular rate is not excessively rapid. Atrial flutter, if untreated and accompanied by an excessive ventricular rate, may also by itself promote cardiomyopathy. Hemodynamic deterioration due to atrial flutter is a problem late after repair of congenital heart disease, particularly after Senning or Fontan operations.^148,149In these patients, flutter is associated with a worse hemodynamic profile and is a marker for worse prognosis.

6.6.1.5. Acute treatment
Acute therapy for patients with atrial flutter depends on clinical presentation. If the patient presents with acute hemodynamic collapse or congestive heart failure (CHF), then emergent DC-synchronized shock is indicated(Fig. 12). Atrial flutter can most often be successfully reverted to sinus rhythm with energies less than 50 joules by using monophasic shocks and with less energy using biphasic shocks. In most instances, patients present with two-to-one or higher grades of AV block and are hemodynamically stable. In this situation, the clinician may elect to use AV-nodal-blocking drugs for rate control. Adequate rate control, albeit frequently difficult to achieve, is especially important if conversion to sinus rhythm is deferred. Atrial overdrive pacing, either through the transesophageal route or with atrial electrodes, if present, should be considered as an option for conversion to sinus rhythm. For those with atrial flutter of more than 48h in duration, anticoagulant therapy is deemed important prior to any mode of cardioversion (see below). Moreover, if acute chemical cardioversion is planned, then rate control is desirable because antiarrhythmic drugs, such as class Ic agents, may slow the flutter rate and cause a paradoxical increase in the ventricular response owing to decreased concealedconduction into the AV node.

View larger version (14K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 12 Management of atrial flutter depending on hemodynamic stability. Attempts to electively revert atrial flutter to sinus rhythm should be preceded and followed by anticoagulant precautions, as per AF. AF indicates atrial fibrillation; AV, atrioventricular; CHF, congestive heart failure; DC, direct current; MI, myocardial infarction.

 
In approximately 60% of patients, atrial flutter occurs as part of an acute disease process, such as exacerbation of pulmonary disease, postoperative cardiac or pulmonary surgery, or during acute myocardial infarction. If the patient survives the underlying disease process, then chronic therapy for the arrhythmia is usually not required after sinus rhythm is restored. In summary, acute treatment of atrial flutter might include the initial use of electrical pacing, DC or chemical cardioversion, orAV-nodal-blocking agents. The anticipated effects of these modalities are detailed below.

Atrioventricular-Nodal-Blocking Agents. Available randomized, controlled trials of AV-nodal-blocking agents include patients with AF and atrial flutter. It is often difficult to isolate the data for atrial flutter patients alone, and the general impression is that rate control may be especially difficult to achieve in patients with atrial flutter.
Two randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trials assessed use of IV diltiazem for rate control in patients with AF or atrial flutter. Both studies showed rapid reductions in heart rate, but this drug was less effective for rate control in patients with atrial flutter compared with AF. Hypotension was the chief adverse effect for the group as a whole, occurring in approximately 10% of patients. A prospective, randomized, open-labeled trial compared IV diltiazem with IV digoxin for rate control. Rate control was usually achieved within 30min with IV diltiazem compared with more than 4h with IV digoxin.
Intravenous verapamil is also efficacious in slowing the ventricular rate. One prospective, randomized, double-blinded crossover trial compared the safety and efficacy of IV diltiazem and IV verapamil for patients with either AF (7 patients) or atrial flutter (10 patients) and decreased ejection fraction. In this relatively small sample, both drugs had comparable efficacy in terms of rate control and effect on systolic function. The incidence of symptomatic hypotension, however, was significantly higher for those initially randomized to IV verapamil.
The decrease in heart rate achieved with calcium-channel blockers is similar to that observed for IV beta blockers. A randomized, open-labeled study comparing IV digoxin to IV amiodarone showed the superiority of IV amiodarone for more rapid achievement of rate control. Intervenous amiodarone, however, appears to be less effective than IV calcium-channel or beta blockers because adequate rate control (i.e., fewer than100bpm) was not achieved for 6h. In addition, IV calcium-channel blockers, beta blockers, or amiodarone are seldom associated with conversion of atrial flutter to sinus rhythm.

Acute Intravenous Drugs for Pharmacologic Conversion. A number of drugs have been shown to be effective in conversion of atrial flutter to sinus rhythm.

Intravenous Ibutilide. Placebo-controlled IV ibutilide trials show an efficacy rate of 38% to 76% for conversion of atrial flutter to sinus rhythm. In these studies, conversion rates of atrial flutter were not related to duration of the arrhythmia. For patients who responded to ibutilide, the mean time to conversion was 30min. The incidence of sustained polymorphic VT for the group as a whole was 1.2% to 1.7%; for nonsustained VT (not requiring DC cardioversion), the incidence was 1.8% to 6.7%. Randomized, double-blinded studies comparing IV ibutilide and IV procainamide are available.¹⁵⁰In the largest study available,¹⁵⁰the efficacy of IV ibutilide was significantly greater than that of IV procainamide for patients with atrial flutter—13 out of 17 patients (76%) vs 3 out of 22 (14%). One patient treated with ibutilide developed polymorphic VT, while 7 of those treated with procainamide developed hypotension. Procainamide was administered at a faster infusion rate in this study than what is recommended, perhaps accounting for the hypotension. Intravenous ibutilide should not be taken by patients with severe structural cardiac diseases or prolonged QT interval, or in those with underlying sinus node disease.

Intravenous Class Ic Drugs. Several single-blinded, randomized, controlled trials comparing IV flecainide with either IV propafenone or IV verapamil have shown relatively poor efficacy for acute conversion. In one study, only 13% of patients converted after IV flecainide administration; 40% responded to propafenone (notstatistically significant); and only 5% reverted with verapamil. Similar results were found in one additional randomized study comparing IV flecainide with propafenone. Adverse effects included QRS widening, dizziness, and paresthesias.

Intravenous Sotalol. A randomized trial of IV sotalol vs placebo for patients with SVT included only a limited number of patients with atrial flutter. The conversion rate varied from 20% to 40%, depending on the sotalol dose, but was not different from placebo. Adverse effects included hypotension and dyspnea. A large double-blinded, randomized trial involving 308 patients compared IV sotalol with IV ibutilide for conversion of patients with AF or atrial flutter to sinus rhythm.¹⁵¹High-dose (2mg) ibutilide was more effective than sotalol (1.5mg/kg) in conversion of patients with atrial flutter (70% vs 19%) to sinus rhythm.
A review of the existing literature for IV antiarrhythmic drugs taken by patients with atrial flutter suggests that dofetilide or ibutilide are more effective than sotalol or class I agents but are associated with a significant incidence of torsades de pointes (1.5% to 3%). Controlled trials have demonstrated the greater efficacy of IV class III agents (e.g., dofetilide, ibutilide) compared with IV amiodarone or class Ia (e.g., procainamide) or class Ic agents (e.g., flecainide, propafenone). Neither IV AV-nodal-blocking agents nor amiodarone appears to be effective for arrhythmia conversion, but they may be effective in rate control.

Acute Nonpharmacologic Therapy

External Direct Current Cardioversion. The success rate for external DC cardioversion for patients with flutter is between 95% and 100%. Conversion can often be achieved with relatively small amounts of energy (i.e., 5 to 50 joules), especially when biphasic wave forms are used, but higher-energy initial shocks are warranted for emergent cardioversion of patients with hemodynamic embarrassment. Direct current cardioversion is the procedure of choice when rapid termination of flutter is required.

Atrial Overdrive Pacing. The use and efficacy of rapid atrial pacing to terminate atrial flutter has been long established, and a comprehensive review showed a cumulative success rate of 82% (range 55% to 100%). Overdrive pacing is particularly useful in atrial flutter after cardiac surgery, as these patients frequently have epicardial atrial pacing wires. A number of studies have demonstrated the efficacy of transesophageal pacing.^152,153In addition, it has been clearly shown that use of antiarrhythmic drugs, including procainamide,¹⁵³ibutilide, and propafenone, may facilitate conversion of atrial flutter by pacing because they facilitate impulse penetration of the flutter circuit and reduce the risk of provoking AF.¹⁵²Moreover, high-frequency atrial pacing or overdrive pacing with atrial extrastimuli have been shown to be effective in cases in which atrial overdrive alone is not effective, an option available in most modern pacemaker technologies. It is important to recognize that atrial overdrive pacing may result in the induction of sustained AF. In addition, periods of AF may precede conversion to sinus rhythm.

6.6.1.6. Chronic pharmacologic treatment

1. Class I Drugs. It is difficult to evaluate long-term antiarrhythmic therapy for patients with atrial flutter because most studies combine patients with AF and atrial flutter without specifying the results for each arrhythmia. Review of the flecainide database showed the long-term efficacy of this drug to be 50% for patients with atrial flutter, but the results were available for only 36 patients. Randomized, prospective, long-term trials comparing flecainide and quinidine are available for patients with AF or atrial flutter. No mention is made of patients with atrial flutter as a distinct group, but the incidence of adverse side effects for the group as a whole was significantly higher with quinidine compared with flecainide. Beta blockers or calcium-channel blockers should always be used in conjunction with class Ic agents for treatment of patients with atrial flutter because the class Ic drugs may slow the flutter rate and encourage one-to-one AV conduction.
   
2. Class III Drugs. The efficacy of oral dofetilide has been assessed in several randomized, placebo-controlled trials.^154,155At the highest dose of dofetilide tested (500µg twice per day), maintenance of sinus rhythm more than or equal to 350 days occurred in 73% of patients with atrial flutter compared with 40% of patients with AF. Contraindications for dofetilide include creatinine clearance less than 20, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and prolonged QT at baseline. Other randomized dose-titration studies have been reported¹⁵⁶(i.e., sotalol), but, unfortunately, results for the atrial flutter patients are not distinguished from those with AF.
   

6.6.1.7. Role of anticoagulant therapy for patients with atrial flutter
The role of anticoagulant therapy for patients with AF is determined on the basis of a number of prospective, randomized trials. Such trials are not available for patients with atrial flutter. It was initially thought, on the basis of observational studies, that the risk of embolization during cardioversion for atrial flutter was negligible. Observational studies, however, have shown a significant risk of embolization for these patients, ranging from 1.7% to 7%.^157,158

In addition, a number of studies¹⁵⁹have shown that the incidence of atrial echo-dense material or clot varies from 0% to 34% in nonanticoagulated patients with atrial flutter. The incidence of echo-dense material or clot increases with atrial flutter duration longer than or equal to 48h. Another area of concern is the finding of atrial stunning after conversion of atrial flutter, which appears to persist for several weeks.¹⁶⁰In several studies, risk factors for development of embolic events were similar to those described for AF.¹⁵⁸

In a collective review of the risk of embolization after DC cardioversion for atrial flutter, the risk of embolism for inadequately anticoagulated patients was 2.2%, significantly lower than that reported for patients with AF (5% to 7%).¹⁵⁸Although randomized, controlled trials of thromboembolic prophylaxis for atrial flutter are not available, it is our consensus that the guidelines for anticoagulation for patients with AF should be extended to those with atrial flutter.^144,161Cardioversion—electrical, chemical, or by ablation—should thus be considered only if the patient is anticoagulated (international normalized ratio [INR] equals 2 to 3), the arrhythmia is less than 48h in duration, or the transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) shows no atrial clots. Negative TEE should be followed by anticoagulation, as by itself it is not protective against thromboembolism.

6.6.1.8. Catheter ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus for isthmus-dependent flutter
A technique for placing lesions between the tricuspid annulus and the inferior vena cava to block the atrial flutter circuit and cure patients with atrial flutter is available. Initially, success was deemed present when ablation simply terminated the arrhythmia. Using more stringent criteria to prove the existence of bidirectional conduction block in the CTI results in better chronic success rates (90% to 100%).^162,163One prospective, randomized study compared chronic oral antiarrhythmic therapy (in 61 patients with atrial flutter) to RF ablation.¹⁶⁴After a mean follow-up of 21±11 months, only 36% of patients treated with drugs compared with 80% of those treated with catheter ablation remained in sinus rhythm. In addition, 63% of patients in the drug-treatment group required one or more hospitalizations, compared with 22% for those treated with ablation. Quality of life was significantly improved in those treated with ablation.

A number of studies have documented that patients with AF who are treated with propafenone, flecainide, or amiodarone have a 15% to 20% risk of developing atrial flutter.^165–167Prospective trials have shown that, if atrial flutter becomes the dominant rhythm, then ablation of the CTI and continued use of the antiarrhythmic drug result in a decreased incidence of atrial flutter and facilitate the pharmacologic management of AF.^168,169The incidence of AF after successful ablation of the CTI flutter circuit varies, depending on the presence of AF before ablation. For patients with a history of only atrial flutter, the occurrence of AF over a follow-up of 18±14 months was only 8%. In contrast, for those with a history (follow-up 20±14 months) of both AF and predominant atrial flutter, the recurrent rate of AF was 38%; whereas AF recurred in 86% of those in whom AF predominated prior to ablation. It appears that the best results of catheter ablation are achieved in patients who have sole or predominant atrial flutter.

6.6.1.9. Treatment of atrial flutter in special circumstances
Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia, occurring in 20% to 50% of patients who have undergone surgery, depending on the nature of the surgery (i.e., higher incidence with mitral valve surgery). Likewise, atrial flutter also occurs after cardiac surgery. Pathogenetic factors that may be involved in the development of postoperative flutter include pericarditis, a change in autonomic tone, or atrial ischemia. Because atrial electrodes are usually left in place after cardiac surgery, atrial overdrive pacing for conversion to sinus rhythm is often a useful therapeutic technique to restoresinus rhythm. If this approach fails, then a number of antiarrhythmic drugs have been utilized, and a number of prospective, randomized, controlled trials have been published using a variety of agents. One randomized, placebo-controlled, drug-titration trial used IV ibutilide for 101 postoperative patients with atrial flutter.¹⁷⁰The conversion rate for atrial flutter was 78% (44% for those with AF) and usually occurred within 90min of the infusion. Polymorphic VT was observed in 1.8% of the patients and typically occurred within several minutes of the ibutilide infusion. Intravenous dofetilide has also been reported to be effective for patients with postoperative AF or atrial flutter.

Atrial flutter may occur in patients with a variety of comorbid conditions. These include chronic lung disease, acute pneumonia, after pulmonary surgery, or as a complication of acute myocardial infarction. Rate control may be achieved with either AV-nodal-blockers or IV amiodarone.¹⁷¹If the arrhythmia is associated with severe CHF or hypotension, then urgent DC cardioversion is appropriate.

6.6.2. Non-cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent atrial flutter
Atrial flutter caused by macro-re-entry circuits that do not use the CTI are less common than CTI-dependent atrial flutter. Most are related to an atrial scar that creates conduction block and a central obstacle forre-entry. Prior cardiac surgery involving the atrium, such as repair of congenital heart disease, mitral valve surgery, or the atrial maze procedure, is a common cause. The resulting arrhythmias are referred to as ‘lesion-related macro-re-entrant ATs’.^{113,172–175}

Although CTI-dependent flutter is the most common underlying mechanism in these circumstances, it often coexists with incisional macro-re-entrant ATs, resulting in multiple re-entry circuits.

The appearance of the flutter waves on ECG usually differs from CTI-dependent flutter but can resemble typical patterns (see Figs. 10 and 11).¹¹³In some cases, discrete P waves are difficult to identify, possibly because of extensive atrial scar. Definitive diagnosis requires intracardiac mapping.

6.6.2.1. Catheter ablation and mapping of non-cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent flutter
Ablation of non-CTI-dependent flutter can be substantially more difficult than for CTI-dependent flutter. When this type of atrial flutter is suspected, such as in patients with congenital heart disease who have had surgery, referral to an experienced center should be considered. Cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent flutter is common in patients with prior atrial surgery, and both CTI- and non-CTI-dependent macro-re-entry circuits often coexist in a single patient.^{173,176–180}

Successful ablation is dependent on identifying a critical portion of the re-entry circuit where it can be interrupted with either one or a line of RF applications.

Surgical incisions in the right atrium for repair of atrial septal defects (ASDs) are probably the most common cause of lesion-related re-entry in adults.^{113,172,173,176–183}The incision is often placed in the lateral right atrium; the re-entry wavefront circulates around the incision. A line of ablation lesions extending from the inferior margin of the scar to the inferior vena cava, or from the superior margin of the scar to the SVC, can interrupt the circuit, but it can also be difficult to complete.

In six series, including 134 patients (predominantly young adults with various types of surgically corrected congenital heart disease), ablation abolished arrhythmia recurrences in 50% to 88% of patients during average follow-up periods of up to 2 years.^{172,176–178}Complications of diaphragmatic paralysis caused by phrenic nerve injury and thromboembolism after conversion from atrial flutter have occurred.

Macro-re-entry circuits occur in the left atrium, but are much less common than right atrial circuits.^{113,180,184,185}Ablation can be effective, but the number of patients studied is small and the efficacy and adverse effects of ablation are not yet well defined.¹⁸⁴ Tables 7 and 8list recommendations for acute and long-term management of atrial flutter.

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 7 Recommendations for acute management of atrial flutter

 

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 8 Recommendations for long-term management of atrial flutter

 

	7. Special circumstances

Top 1. Preamble 2. Introduction 3. Public health considerations... 4. General mechanisms of... 5. Clinical presentation,... 6. Specific arrhythmias 7. Special circumstances References

 
7.1. Pregnancy
Premature atrial beats are observed in approximately 50% of patients during pregnancy, but they are generally benign and well tolerated. Although sustained arrhythmias are relatively rare (2 to 3 per 1000) in those who have supraventricular arrhythmias, symptomatic exacerbation of paroxysmal SVT occurs during pregnancy in approximately 20%.

The major concern during treatment of SVT during pregnancy is the potential for adverse effects on the fetus, as all commonly used antiarrhythmic drugs cross the placental barrier to some extent. Although the first 8 weeks after conception is the period associated with the greatest teratogenic risk, other adverse effects may occur with drug exposure later in pregnancy. The major concern with antiarrhythmic drugs taken during the second and third trimesters is the adverse effect on fetal growth and development as well as the risk of proarrhythmia. Several of the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, such as increased cardiac output and blood volume, decreased serum protein concentration, alterations in gastric secretion and motility, and hormonal stimulation of liver enzymes, can affect absorption, bioavailability, and elimination of many drugs. More careful monitoring of the patient and dose adjustments are, therefore, necessary because the above-mentioned changes vary in magnitude during different stages of pregnancy.²⁰²

As with many other drugs used in pregnancy, use of certain antiarrhythmic agents has crept into common practice because of an absence of reported ill effects, rather than as a result of controlled studies. Allantiarrhythmic drugs should be regarded as potentially toxic to the fetus and should be avoided if possible, especially during the first trimester. All currently available antiarrhythmic drugs that are used for SVT are categorized as class C drugs (using the US Food andDrug Administration [FDA] drug classification system), except for sotalol (a class B agent) and for atenolol and amiodarone (class D agents).

In patients with mild symptoms and structurally normal hearts, no treatment other than reassurance should be provided. Antiarrhythmic drug therapy should be used only if symptoms are intolerable or if the tachycardia causes hemodynamic compromise.

Catheter ablation should be recommended in women with symptomatic tachyarrhythmias before they contemplate pregnancy. Because of the potential problem of recurring tachyarrhythmias during pregnancy, the policy of withdrawing antiarrhythmic drugs and resuming them later can be recommended only as an alternative in selected cases. A large-scale clinical experience with catheter ablation procedures performed during pregnancy will never be reported, although fetal radiation dose and risk from the procedures have been calculated.²⁰³Catheter ablation is the procedure of choice for drug-refactory, poorly tolerated SVT. If needed, it should be performed in the second trimester.

7.1.1. Acute conversion of atrioventricular node-dependent tachycardias
Intravenous adenosine is the drug of choice if vagal maneuvers fail to terminate an episode of PSVT. This drug has been used safely in pregnant women, although most of the reports of adenosine administration were in the second and third trimesters.²⁰²

If adenosine fails, then IV propranolol or metoprolol are recommended. Intravenous administration of verapamil may be associated with a greater risk of maternal hypotension and subsequent fetal hypoperfusion.

Available data suggest that DC cardioversion is safe in all phases of pregnancy and can be used when necessary.

7.1.2. Prophylactic antiarrhythmic drug therapy
If prophylactic drug therapy is needed, then digoxin or a beta-blocking agent (i.e., propranolol or metoprolol) is the first-line agent. The experience with digoxin is extensive, and it is considered one of the safest antiarrhythmic drugs to take during pregnancy;²⁰²however, its efficacy for arrhythmia treatment or prophylaxis has never been demonstrated. Propranolol and metoprolol are generally considered to be safe but are best avoided in the first trimester. Rare cases of adverse effects on the fetus, including bradycardia, hypoglycaemia, premature labor, and metabolic abnormalities, have been reported but may be secondary to fetal distress in high-risk pregnancies. Prospective, randomized studies have failed to demonstrate a higher incidence of these complications with beta-blocking agents as compared with placebo. The potential for intrauterine growth retardation has been reported with propranolol and has raised concerns, especially when it is taken in the first trimester.²⁰²Later studies reported growth retardation in babies receiving atenolol in the first trimester and a higher prevalence of preterm delivery.²⁰⁴Atenolol is, therefore, classified as a category D agent by the FDA. In view of these results, beta blockers should be avoided during the first trimester, if possible. Beta blockers with selective B1 properties are theoretically preferable because they may interfere less with peripheral vasodilatation and uterine relaxation.

If the above-mentioned drugs fail, then sotalol may be considered. Although sotalol has been used successfully during pregnancy for other indications, the experience is limited; so, caution is still advised. The reported experience with flecainide is also limited, but it appears to be relatively safe during pregnancy.²⁰⁵The experience with propafenone is even more limited, although no adverse effects to the fetus have been reported when it is taken during the third trimester. Quinidine is considered to be relatively well tolerated, although isolated cases of adverse effects, such as fetal thrombocytopenia and eighth-nerve toxicity, have been reported.²⁰²Procainamide is considered to be well tolerated and appears to be relatively safe for short-term therapy. The use of amiodarone, a category D agent, in pregnancy should be restricted to arrhythmias that are resistant to other drugs or are life threatening.²⁰⁶Table 9lists recommendations for treatment strategies for SVT during pregnancy.

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 9 Recommendations for treatment strategies for SVT during pregnancy

 
It should be emphasized that these recommendations rely mainly on observational data; the cited references are, therefore, not all inclusive.

7.2. Supraventricular tachycardias in adult patients with congenital heart disease
7.2.1. Introduction
An increasing number of patients with congenital heart disease are surviving to adulthood. Supraventricular arrhythmias are an important cause of morbidity and, in some of these patients, mortality. In patients who have not had operative repair of their malformation, AF and atrial flutter are the most common arrhythmias. Increased atrial filling pressures may contribute to the cause of AF or atrial flutter. Surgical repairs that place incisions in the atria predispose to incisional-related atrial flutter late after surgery.

Many patients warrant referral to an experienced specialist. The new development of atrial arrhythmias can be an indication of deteriorating hemodynamic function, which in some cases warrants specific investigation and occasionally operative treatment. An SVT itself dramatically impairs hemodynamic performance in some patients. Coexistent sinus node dysfunction is common after surgical repair of many of these conditions and can be further aggravated by antiarrhythmic therapy, requiring pacemaker implantation to allow management of the supraventricular arrhythmia. Cardiac malformations often increase the difficulty of pacemaker implantation and catheter ablation procedures. The presence of intracardiac shunts creates a risk of systemic embolism from clots that may form on pacing leads even though they are in the right-sided (i.e., systemic venous) cardiac chambers.

7.2.2. Specific disorders
7.2.2.1. Atrial septal defect
Atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter occurs in approximately 20% of adults who have an unrepaired ASD.^207,208Atrial fibrillation, rather than atrial flutter, predominates in the majority; incidence increases with patient age. Surgical or percutaneous closure of ASDs associated with pulmonary blood flow/systemic blood flow (Qp/Qs) more than 1.5 and or symptoms before the age of 40 years may reduce atrial arrhythmias but has little effect after the age of 40 years.^207–209

Gatzoulis and coworkers retrospectively reviewed 218 adults who had surgical closure of an isolated ASD.207 Sustained atrial flutter or AF was present in 19% of patients prior to surgery, 5% had atrial flutter, 2.8% had AF and atrial flutter, and 11% had AF. During a mean follow-up of 3.8 years, 60% of patients with preoperative AF or atrial flutter continued to have arrhythmias, and new AF or atrial flutter developed in 2.3% of patients. All of the patients with persistent arrhythmias and those who developed new atrial arrhythmias were older than40 years of age at the time of repair. None of the 106 patients younger than 40 years of age at the time of surgery had late atrial arrhythmias during this follow-up period (P=0.008).

Attie and coworkers randomized 521 adults older than 40 years of age who had isolated secundum or sinus venosal ASDs with a Qp/Qs more than 1.7 and pulmonary artery systolic pressure less than 70mmHg to surgical closure vs medical therapy.²⁰⁸Prior to randomization, 21% of patients had a history of AF or atrial flutter managed with rate control and anticoagulation, and 5% had a history of other types of SVT. During a median follow-up of 7.3 years, new atrial flutter or AF developed in 7.4% of patients in the surgical group and 8.7% of patients in the medical group. Cerebral embolic events occurred in 2.1% of patients. The risk was not different between the surgical and medically treated patients.

Management of atrial flutter is the same as described in Section V-F. In patients who have not had surgical repair, atrial flutter is likely to be dependent on conduction through the CTI and susceptible to catheter ablation. If closure of the ASD is not warranted by hemodynamic criteria, then catheter ablation of the atrial flutter is preferable to surgical closure of the ASD, which is unlikely to abolish the atrial flutter. If closure of the septal defect is warranted in a patient with atrial flutter, then electrophysiological study with catheter ablation prior to surgery may still be considered or ablation of the atrial flutter isthmus may be performed during surgery in a center with experience in arrhythmia surgery.

In patients with prior surgical repair, both CTI-dependent and non-CTI-dependent (so-called ‘incisional’ or scar) atrial flutter occur and can coexist in a single patient.^{113,172,173,176,178–183,210}Management is as discussed above. If catheter ablation is warranted, then the possibility that the flutter will have a non-CTI-dependent mechanism should be considered. Ablation may be best performed in an experienced center with advanced, three-dimensional mapping equipment for defining non-CTI-dependent arrhythmias.

7.2.2.2. Transposition of the great vessels
Atrial arrhythmias are uncommon late after arterial switch procedures. The Mustard and Senning repairs reroute systemic venous blood to the morphological LV that is connected to the pulmonary artery, and they reroute the pulmonary venous blood to the morphological right ventricle that is connected to the aorta. The atrial surgery is extensive, and sinus node dysfunction is common.^211,212Of 478 patients who survived the perioperative period after Mustard repair in a study reported by Gelatt and coworkers, atrial flutter subsequently occurred in 14%, and ectopic AT occurred in 1% (3 patients). The actuarial rate of atrial flutter at 20 years after repair was 24%. An even greater incidence of atrial arrhythmias was observed in earlier series.

Loss of coordinated atrial activity and acceleration of rate can produce severe symptoms and hemodynamic compromise. Development of atrial arrhythmias is also associated with impaired ventricular function.^149,213For these reasons, development of atrial arrhythmias has been associated with an increased risk of death and sudden death in some, but not all, studies.²¹²

Acute management of rapid SVT is as discussed above (see Sections IV and V). These arrhythmias tend to be recurrent, and attempts to maintain sinus rhythm are usually warranted due to the hemodynamic compromise produced by the arrhythmia. Associated ventricular dysfunction and risk of sudden death and sinus node dysfunction can complicate selection of antiarrhythmic drug therapy. Referral to a specialist with experience in the care of these patients is usually warranted. Catheter ablation of the lesion related to the atrial flutter can be effective but is more difficult than for patients without structural heart disease and should be attempted only at experienced centers.²¹⁰

7.2.2.3. Tetralogy of fallot
Atrial incisions are commonly made at the time of repair, predisposing to the late development of incisional-related atrial flutter.^148,214During 35 years of follow-up after repair 10% of patients developed atrial flutter, 11% developed sustained VT, and 8% died suddenly.²¹⁴

The sinus rhythm ECG shows RBBB in the vast majority of patients, such that SVTs are conducted with RBBB aberrancy. Ventricular tachycardia arises due to re-entry in the region of the right ventricular outflow tract or infundibular septum. Although most of these VTs have a QRS configuration resembling LBBB, the VT QRS resembles RBBB in approximately 25% of patients. An RBBB configuration of the tachycardia is not, therefore, a reliable guide for distinguishing a VT from an SVT. Atrial flutter precipitates hemodynamic compromise in some patients. Acute management is dictated by hemodynamic stability (see Section IV. B). Establishment of the correct diagnosis is critical to guide further management. Electrophysiological testing may be required, and referral to a specialist is advised.

Atrial flutter can be CTI dependent or incisionalrelated.^172,210Development of atrial flutter can be an indication of worsening ventricular function and tricuspid regurgitation.^{131,148,214,215}Haemodynamic reassessment of the repair and consideration for revision are sometimes warranted. Chronic management is as discussed above.

7.2.2.4. Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve
Accessory AV and atriofascicular pathways occur in up to 25% of patients and are more often right sided and multiple than in patients without the disorder.^216–219In addition to AVRT, AF, atrial flutter, and ectopic AT can occur.

Right bundle-branch block is usually present and, in the presence of a right-sided accessory pathway, ventricular pre-excitation can mask the ECG evidence of RBBB. Thus, patients may present with orthodromic AVRT with RBBB aberrancy and, after termination of the arrhythmia, there may be evidence of a right-sidedaccessory pathway causing pre-excitation during sinus rhythm. Left bundle-branch block-configuration tachycardias can be due to antidromic AVRT or conduction over a bystander accessory pathway during, for example, AT, AVRT, or atrial flutter.

The malformation can be mild, producing no symptoms. Alternatively, tricuspid regurgitation and a large ASD can cause cyanosis and hemodynamic compromise that may be exacerbated by arrhythmias. Depending on the severity of the malformation and the arrhythmia, SVTs can produce cyanosis and severe symptoms or death. Sudden death can also occur as a consequenceof rapid repetitive conduction to the ventricles during AF or atrial flutter when an accessory pathway is present.²¹⁹

When hemodynamic consequences of the malformation warrant operative correction and supraventricular arrhythmias are present, arrhythmia management should be coordinated with the surgical team.²²⁰Preoperative electrophysiological evaluation is often warranted. Failure to address potential accessory pathways can lead to recurrent arrhythmias and instability in the perioperative period. Catheter ablation prior to surgery is, therefore, recommended. Surgical division of accessory pathways may be considered as an option for selected patients in centers with experience.

In general, management of accessory pathways in Ebstein's anomaly is as discussed in Section V-D. The associated malformation and common coexistence of multiple accessory pathways, however, increase the difficulty of mapping and ablation. Of 65 patients reported in the Pediatric Radiofrequency Ablation Registry, short-term success rates ranged from 75% to 89%, depending on pathway location (septal vs free wall); late recurrences occurred in up to 32% of patients.²²¹

7.2.2.5. Fontan repairs
Incisional-related atrial flutter or AF occurs in up to 57% of patients, depending on the particular type of repair.^222,223Atrial arrhythmias can cause rapid hemodynamic deterioration and are associated with more heart failure. Acute management is as discussed for atrial flutter above. Referral to a specialist is advised. Catheter ablation can be effective but is often difficult due to multiple circuits and should be attempted only atexperienced centers. In addition to the low success rate of catheter ablation in the Fontan atriopulmonary connection, there is a high rate of recurrence after initially successful ablation procedures, limiting the usefulness of this approach.²¹⁰Table 10lists recommendations for treatment of SVTs in adults with congenital heart disease.

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 10 Recommendations for treatment of SVTs in adults with congenital heart disease

 
7.3. Quality-of-life and cost considerations
Improvement of quality of life is usually the major therapeutic goal of treatment for SVT. Although it was reported early that catheter ablation improves quality of life^227,228and is cost effective compared with other strategies, these studies were observational rather than randomized or were limited to more symptomatic patients on stable antiarrhythmic medical therapy. A later study compared the effect on quality of life between catheter ablation and pharmacologic therapy as an initial strategy for patients with SVTs.²²⁹Both treatments improved quality of life and decreased frequency of disease-specific symptoms, but ablation improved quality of life in more general health categories and resulted in complete amelioration of symptoms in more patients (74% vs 33%) than did medication. Potential long-term costs were similar for medication and ablation.²²⁹Among patients who had monthly episodes of SVT, RF ablation was, however, the more effective and less expensive therapy compared with long-term drug therapy.²³⁰Another prospective study compared the long-term effects on health outcome of catheter ablation and medical therapy as an initial treatment for patients with newly documented PSVT, excluding those with drug-refractory symptoms referred specifically for ablation.²³¹At 5-year follow-up, patients who received ablation had improved quality-of-life scores and a reduction in disease-specific symptoms when compared with patients who continued to take medical therapy. More patients reported complete elimination of symptoms with ablation therapy (70%) than did those taking medical therapy (43%). Over 5 years, the average cumulative cost for patients in the medical therapy group was statistically significantly lower than in patients initially treated with ablation therapy: $6249±$1421 per patient vs $7507±$1098 per patient.²³¹It was concluded that patient preference remains the critical determinant in choosing a particular treatment in cases of mildly to moderately symptomatic PSVT.²³¹

Baseline quality-of-life scores appear to be lower for patients with atrial flutter and AF than for those with other arrhythmias who are undergoing RF ablation. Several studies have described improvement in symptoms and quality of life after catheter ablation of atrial flutter.^{164,232–234}Ablation of atrial flutter resulted in an improvement in quality of life as well as reductions in symptom-frequency scores and symptom-severity scores compared with preablation values.²³⁴There was a reduction in the number of patients visiting accident and emergency departments, requiring cardioversion, and being admitted to a hospital for a rhythm problem. Patients with atrial flutter and concomitant AF before ablation and those with atrial flutter alone both derived significant benefit from atrial flutter ablation.²³⁴Others reported that patients who had atrial flutter associated with AF before ablation had less improvement than those without AF.²³³Moreover, in a prospective, randomized comparison of antiarrhythmic therapy vs first-line RF ablation in patients with atrial flutter, the sense of well-being and function in daily life improved after ablation but did not change significantly in patients treated with drugs.¹⁶⁴Ablation was associated with a better success rate and effect on quality of life, a lower occurrence of AF, and a lower need for rehospitalization at follow-up.

View larger version (24K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 6 Electrocardiogram showing AV dissociation during VT in a patient with a wide QRS-complex tachycardia. The P waves are marked with arrows.

 

	Footnotes

 
This document does not cover atrial fibrillation; atrial fibrillation is covered in the ACC/AHA/ESC guidelines on the management of patients with atrial fibrillation found on the ACC, AHA, and ESC Web sites.

Former Task Force Member.

Immediate Past Chair.

This document was approved by the American College of Cardiology Foundation Board of Trustees in August 2003, by the American Heart Association Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee in July 2003, and by the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines in July 2003.

When citing this document, the American College of Cardiology Foundation, the American Heart Association, and the European Society of Cardiology request that the following citation format be used: Blomström-Lundqvist C, Scheinman MM, Aliot EM, Alpert JS, Calkins H, Camm AJ, Campbell WB, Haines DE, Kuck KH, Lerman BB, Miller DD, Shaeffer CW, Stevenson WG, Tomaselli GF. ACC/AHA/ESC guidelines for the management of patients with supraventricular arrhythmias—executive summary: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines, and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Develop Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Supraventricular Arrhythmias.). Eur Heart J 2003;doi:10.1016/j.ehj.2003.08.002.

This document is available on the World Wide Web sites of the American College of Cardiology (www.acc.org), the American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org), and the European Society of Cardiology (www.escardio.org), as well as published in the October 15, 2003, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the October 14, 2003, issue of Circulation, and the 24/20 October 15, 2003, issue of the European Heart Journal. Single and bulk reprints of both the full-text guidelines and the executive summary are available from Elsevier Publishers by calling +44.207.424.4200 or +44.207.424.4389, faxing +44.207.424.4433, or writing to Elsevier Publishers Ltd, European Heart Journal, ESC Guidelines—Reprints, 32 Jamestown Road, London, NW1 7BY, UK; or E-mail gr.davies@elsevier.com. Single copies of executive summary and the full-text guidelines are also available by calling 800-253-4636 or writing the American College of Cardiology Foundation, Resource Center, at 9111 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-1699. To purchase bulk reprints (specify version and reprint number—executive summary 71-0261 and full-text guideline 71-0262): up to 999 copies, call 800-611-6083 (U.S. only) or fax 413-665-2671; 1000 or more copies, call 214-706-1789, fax 214-691-6342; or E-mail pubauth@heart.org.

^a American College of Cardiology

^b American Heart Association

^c European Society of Cardiology

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