AV nodal reentrant tachycardia or AV reentrant tachycardia using a concealed bypass tract-related adverse events

{Objectives: To jointly study paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)-related adverse events (AE) and ablation-related complications, with specific emphasis on the predictors of SVT-related AE as well as their significance by investigating their association with long-term mortality. Methods: 1770 patients were included, aged 6 to 97, with either atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) or orthodromic atrioventricular reciprocal tachycardia (AVRT) mediated by concealed accessory pathway, consecutively referred for SVT work-up in a tertiary care center. Results: SVT-related AE were identified in 339 patients (19%). Major AEs were identified in 23 patients (1%; 15 cardiac arrests or ventricular arrhythmias requiring cardioversion and 8 hemodynamic collapses). Other AE were related to syncope (n = 236), acute coronary syndrome (n = 57) and heart failure/rhythmic cardiomyopathy (n = 21). In multivariable analysis, higher age, heart disease and requirement of isoproterenol to induce SVT were independently associated with a higher risk for SVT-related AE. During follow-up (2.8 +/- 3.0 years), death occurred more frequently in patients with SVT-related AE, especially in patients with major adverse events (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, major SVT-related AE remained significantly associated with occurrence of death (HR = 6.72