Antiarrhythmic Treatment Duration and Tachycardia Recurrence in Infants with Supraventricular Tachycardia

Abstract

We sought to assess the effect of a shorter medication treatment course (up to 4–6 months of age) on the recurrence of infantile supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). This was a retrospective review of infants with SVT diagnosed at age 0–12 months at Rady Children’s Hospital (2010–2017). Infants with structural congenital heart disease, automatic tachycardias, atrial flutter, or lack of follow-up data were excluded. Seventy-four infants met criteria. Median age at diagnosis was 6 days (IQR 0–21 days); 28.4% presented with fetal tachycardia. Median gestational age was 38.4 weeks (IQR 36–40), 30% were preterm. Median age at medication discontinuation was 6.7 months (IQR 4.6–9.8). Therapy was stopped at younger age in patients managed by pediatric electrophysiologist (vs. general pediatric cardiologist): 4.9 vs. 8.6 months (p = 0.03). Thirty-eight patients (51.4%) were treated for < 6 months; 32.4% for 6–12 months, and 16.2% for > 12 months. SVT recurrence was similar for these groups: 13.2% vs. 16.7%, and 33.3%, respectively, (p = 0.27). Most patients with recurrence required emergency care, though none had significant adverse outcomes. Infants with SVT and structurally normal cardiac anatomy, who remain recurrence free on a single agent, have no increased risk of recurrence with shorter treatment courses of 4–6 months, compared to traditional treatment duration of 6–12 months.