Guideline developed for supraventricular tachycardia

(HealthDay)—Recommendations have been developed for the management of adult patients with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). The guideline was published online Sept. 23 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Richard L. Page, M.D., from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine in Madison, and colleagues conducted an extensive evidence review to develop recommendations on management of adults with all types of SVT other than atrial fibrillation.

The researchers note that the prevalence of SVT is about 2.25 per 1,000 persons in the general population. SVT is often diagnosed in the emergency department. Modes of presentation include documented SVT, palpitations, chest pain, syncope, atrial fibrillation, and sudden cardiac death; the need to differentiate symptoms of SVT from those of panic and anxiety disorders is a confounding factor in diagnosis.

"The overall goal of the guideline is to provide clinicians with the tools needed to successfully diagnose and treat patients with supraventricular tachycardia upon presentation in the inpatient or outpatient setting," Page said in a statement.

Several members of the writing committee and reviewers disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.