Supraventricular tachycardia. Doing the right things.

Abstract

Supraventricular tachycardia is an outmoded term which, while widely used, is imprecise and is impeding the development of antiarrhythmic management strategies. Precise arrhythmia descriptions, recognition of the arrhythmogenic basis of the arrhythmia and an appreciation of the variety of therapeutic approaches available is an essential part of modern day medicine. The selected strategy will be dictated by an accurate assessment of how the arrhythmia disadvantages the patient. Good clinical practice will ensure constant monitoring of the effect of and need for therapy. The 'right things' in arrhythmia management can now be defined and should form the basis of new, practical, clinical protocols.