SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS WITH SUPRAVENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA: IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE (DYSRHYTHMIA).
Contributors: University of California, San Francisco.
Published: 1996
Number of pages: 171
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: While the physiological and psychosociai symptoms in ventricular dysrhythmia patients are well appreciated, symptoms in supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) patients are less frequently investigated. Supraventricular tachycardia causes numerous symptoms ranging from palpitations to syncope which may make life difficult for patients with recurrent tachycardias. Often thought of as a benign dysrhythmia more commonly noted in females, the incidence of disabling symptoms or life threatening events is not well known for patients with SVT. For patients with SVT, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) currently offers a more effective treatment modality with lower morbidity than conventional therapies.

A prospective, descriptive study was undertaken: (1) to describe the clinical symptoms of patients with SVT and how these impact on quality of life (QoL); and (2) to determine whether symptoms and QoL change following treatment with radiofrequency ablation. Self administered questionnaires, with standardized generic measures (from the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36) incorporated with disease specific measures, were used to assess symptom distress & health related QoL pre-RFA and at one month post RFA.

The sample (n = 52) was 65% female, with a mean age of 41 $+/-$ 17 years. Types of SVT included were: atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia, atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia, and atrial tachycardia. A low incidence of associated heart disease was noted, with mean left ventricular ejection fraction 65%. Pre-ablation, patients reported having to cut down on activities due to symptoms of SVT a mean of 7 days/month. Pre-ablation, QoL scores showed significant impairment in physical functioning, health distress, mental health, and energy/fatigue. These scores were significantly below normative values for patients with congestive heart failure and recent myocardial infarction. Statistically significant improvement (p $<$ 0.05) was noted at one month post-RFA in virtually all QoL-outcomes.

Managing the symptoms associated with recurrent episodes of SVT severely impacts the QoL of these patients. Radiofrequency ablation appears to have a dramatic effect in decreasing symptoms and improving QoL in patients with SVT.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 57-12, Section: B, page: 7459.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO, 1996.

School code: 0034.