Follow-Up Primary care providers must emphasize the importance of monitoring the patient’s progress, based on the severity of his or her SVT symptoms. The provider may choose to monitor the patient for a few weeks or a few months, assessing the frequency of arrhythmia recurrence and the heart rate, to adjust or substitute medications based on repeat ECG or Holter evaluations, and to plan further therapy, should the condition worsen.5
The Case Patient One month after undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation, the child presented to the pediatric cardiologist for follow-up. Since the procedure, she had been without any symptoms referable to the cardiovascular system. She denied experiencing any fast heart rate, palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness. ECG demonstrated normal sinus rhythm.
Two years after undergoing radiofrequency ablation, the child is functioning at a normal activity level with no recurrence of SVT episodes.
Conclusion The purpose of this case study is to improve primary care providers’ understanding of SVT in children and to convey the importance of identifying the condition in a timely manner and referring patients to a pediatric cardiologist or electrophysiologist. For most children affected by SVT, a regimen of pharmacologic and/or nonpharmacologic treatment—supported by detailed education for their parents and caregivers—can allow them to live a healthy, normal life.
