ABSTRACT
Background : Patients with true paroxysmal supraventricular
tachycardia (SVT) are frequently misdiagnosed with panic or anxiety
disorders due to similar symptoms of palpitations, light-headedness,
dyspnea, or chest discomfort. Unrecognized SVT can lead to unnecessary
management with anxiety medications. Treatment of SVT with catheter
ablation may lead to reduction in anxiety medications.
Methods : A total of 175 patients underwent successful SVT
ablation between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2020. We examined
symptoms at presentation, psychiatric medications prior to SVT ablation,
comorbidities, and psychiatric medications at 3 months post-ablation.
Results : 15% of patients who underwent successful SVT ablation
were being treated with psychiatric medications and were included in the
final study population. The most common symptoms were palpitations
(80.77%), followed by dizziness (42.31%), and shortness of breath
(34.62%). The average number of medications prior to ablation was 1.42
and decreased down to 1.08 at 3 months post-ablation (p = 0.04). The
average number of SSRIs, SNRIs, and other anxiolytics were also
decreased but were not statistically significant.
Conclusion : In patients with anxiety and paroxysmal
supraventricular tachycardia, catheter ablation is associated with
reduced average number of psychiatric medications.
KEY WORDS: SVT, SVT ablation, anxiety, PSVT, PSVT Ablation