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Medications Used to Manage Supraventricular Tachycardia in the Infant A North American Survey

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Abstract

Supraventricular tachycardia is the most common pediatric arrhythmia, but there is no consensus and little evidence to guide its treatment. We sent a questionnaire to pediatric cardiologists in North America to assess the current practice pattern. Of 1534 surveys mailed, 352 (23%) were returned and 295 (19%) had complete data for analysis. In the acute setting, 11 different medications were chosen. The most commonly used in the infant without preexcitation were digoxin (42%), procainamide (21%), esmolol (13%), propranolol (10%), and amiodarone (8%). In the infant with preexcitation, propranolol (34%), procainamide (23%), esmolol (17%), amiodarone (11%), and digoxin (6%) were used. In the chronic setting, 8 different medications were chosen. The most commonly used in this scenario were digoxin (52%), propranolol (33%), amiodarone (4%), and sotalol (3%). In the infant with preexcitation, propranolol (70%), amiodarone (6%), digoxin (6%), atenolol (6%), and flecainide (5%) were used. Medication choices were influenced by additional electrophysiology training and preexcitation. Digoxin was used less in the setting of preexcitation. There are no comparative trials to explain the different medication choices. Although a number of medications may be efficacious, a randomized clinical trial is needed to offer further guidance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Cardiology, British Columbia Children’s Hospital, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3V4, Canada

    K.K. Wong, J.E. Potts & S. Sanatani

  2. Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Primary Children’s Medical Center, 100 North Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84113, USA

    S.P. Etheridge

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  1. K.K. Wong
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  2. J.E. Potts
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  3. S.P. Etheridge
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  4. S. Sanatani
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Correspondence to S. Sanatani.

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Wong, K., Potts, J., Etheridge, S. et al. Medications Used to Manage Supraventricular Tachycardia in the Infant A North American Survey. Pediatr Cardiol 27, 199–203 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-005-1126-x

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