TREATMENT OF PAROXYSMAL SUPRAVENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA DURING PREGNANCY

Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia is the most common sustained a rrhythmia during pregnancy. Verapamil has been the most commonly used agent for the treatment of PSVT with a narrow QRS complex. Potential s ide effects of verapamil including systemic hypotension, acute heart f ailure, bradyarrhythmia and heart block may occur in pregnant women; a fter placental transfer bradycardia, heart block, depression of contra ctility and hypotension may be induced in the fetus. We report on the case of a 22-year old pregnant woman with hypotension and tachycardia, who was admitted for suspected haemorhagic shock. Indeed, she suffere d from paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, which was successfully terminated by intravenous adenosine. Because of its known rapid onset , high effectivity, low incidence and brevity of side effects in the m other and comparative safety in the fetus, adenosine seems to be the d rug of choice for treating PSVT during pregnancy.