Clinical InvestigationElectrophysiologyIncidence and clinical relevance of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in pulmonary hypertension
Section snippets
Patients
In this retrospective single-center study, files from 231 consecutive patients with PAH or inoperable CTEPH treated between 1998 and 2003 were analyzed for episodes of SVTs. All patients were regularly seen at 1 to 6 monthly intervals, or whenever clinically indicated, in the outpatient clinic for PH. Close physical examination and 12-channel electrocardiograms (ECGs) were obtained as part of the regular follow-up program during each individual visit. None of the patients was carrying any
Pulmonary hypertension population
A total number of 231 consecutive patients were included in this study. At the time of inclusion, all patients were in sinus rhythm, except for 2 patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (up to 5 years before the diagnosis of PH). The baseline characteristics of the entire population are shown in Table I.
Incidence of sustained SVT
Thirty-one episodes of sustained SVT were observed in 27 patients, resulting in a cumulative incidence of 11.7% and an annual risk of 2.8% per patient. The average interval between time of
Discussion
The clinical relevance of SVTs has not been systemically studied among patients with PH. The present study shows that SVTs pose a significant threat to this group of patients. In the present cohort of patients with PAH or inoperable CTEPH, the annual incidence of newly onset SVT was approximately 3%, with atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter being the most common types of SVT. The average interval between diagnosis of PH and onset of SVT was 3.5 years, suggesting that these arrhythmias are
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