Atrial antitachycardia pacing in patients with supraventricular tachycardia: clinical experience with the Intertach pacemaker.

During a 3-year period, 22 patients with recurrent supraventricular tachycardia have been treated with antitachycardia pacemakers (Intermedics Intertach, 262-12, n = 17, and Intertach II, 262-16, n = 5). Eighty-two percent were female, the mean age was 44 +/- 14 years; 86% had atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia. Symptoms had occurred over 11.8 +/- 7.1 years, with 3.6 hospital admissions per patient, despite 4.7 +/- 2.1 antiarrhythmic drugs. Following pacemaker implantation, during a follow-up of 14.8 +/- 11.5 months, only two patients have been readmitted to a hospital because of supraventricular tachycardia (mean 0.1 per patient). One patient is taking an antiarrhythmic agent, and four are taking beta adrenergic blocking agents. Thus, 23% are taking cardioactive drugs (it was anticipated that two patients would continue on drugs after pacemaker implantation). There have been no serious complications. Atrial antitachycardia is thus an effective therapy in carefully selected patients with recurrent supraventricular tachycardia, reducing hospital admissions for supraventricular tachycardia and reducing the need for antiarrhythmic drugs.