The impact of supraventricular tachycardias on driving ability in patients referred for radiofrequency catheter ablation.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of arrhythmia-related symptoms in patients with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) referred for radiofrequency catheter ablation (RF ablation) with special focus on driving ability.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

Of the 301 patients referred for RF ablation between November 1998 and December 2000 due to SVT 226 were active drivers. The present study is an interview study with structured questions. Hemodynamic symptoms were frequently encountered during tachycardia. The symptoms occurred irrespective of driving. In the 226 active drivers, fatigue was reported in 77%, dizziness in 47%, breaking into a cold sweat in 52%, near-syncope in 50%, and syncope in 14%. Women experienced all symptoms more frequently than men: fatigue (P < 0.05), dizziness (P < 0.01), cold sweat (P < 0.05), near-syncope (P < 0.001), and syncope (P < 0.01). Fifty-seven percent of the patients had experienced tachycardia while driving, and 42% of those patients had to stop because of it. Twenty-four of all patients considered their tachycardia as an obstacle to driving. There was a significant correlation (P < 0.001) between having experienced near-syncope and considering the risk for tachycardia as an obstacle.

CONCLUSIONS

SVT frequently occurs during driving and is often associated with hemodynamic symptoms including near-syncope and syncope. Women reported tachycardia-related hemodynamic symptoms more often than men. There is a correlation between having experienced near-syncope and considering tachycardia as an obstacle to driving. The risk for serious tachycardia-related symptoms should be considered, especially in occupational drivers.