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.