Termination of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia with oral diltiazem.

Patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) who are either not adequately controlled with chronic suppressive therapy or who have infrequent attacks may be treated with oral diltiazem with a high probability of conversion to sinus rhythm within 30 minutes of ingestion of the calcium channel blocker. Due to its rapid absorption, the diltiazem appears to be effective in converting PSVT and may eliminate the need for emergency department evaluation and parenteral drug therapy.