What is the primary treatment for Supraventricular Tachycardia?

The primary treatment for Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) often involves catheter ablation. This procedure is highly effective in identifying and destroying the abnormal electrical pathways in the heart that contribute to the rapid heart rate associated with SVT. By using radiofrequency energy or cryotherapy during catheter ablation, healthcare providers can target the specific areas that cause the arrhythmia, often resulting in a permanent resolution of the condition.

In addition to catheter ablation, other management strategies may include medications to help control the heart rate or rhythm, but ablation is particularly sought after in cases where SVT is recurrent or symptomatic as it can reduce the need for long-term medication and significantly improve quality of life. This makes it a primary treatment choice.

In contrast, anticoagulants are used to prevent blood clots that can lead to stroke, particularly in patients with a risk of thromboembolism but do not directly address the arrhythmia itself. Defibrillation is typically reserved for more dangerous arrhythmias, such as ventricular fibrillation, rather than SVT. Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medications and do not have a role in the treatment of SVT, making catheter ablation the most appropriate and direct intervention.