PREGNANCY-INDUCED INCREASE OF SUPRAVENTRICULAR ARRHYTHMIAS IN WOLFF-PARKINSON-WHITE SYNDROME

Six women suffering from Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and who were p reviously asymptomatic or nearly asymptomatic, were followed prospecti vely during and after their subsequent pregnancies. Three women experi enced several attacks of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) for the fi rst time and the rest experienced an increase in their attacks. It see ms that there is an increased tendency for SVT in pregnancy. Increased adrenergic sensitivity by estrogens, increased plasma volume, stress, and anxiety during pregnancy may be some of the causative factors.