Refractory paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Treatment with patient controlled permanent radio frequency atrial pacemaker

A patient with incapacitating recurrent supraventricular tachycardia, refractory to medical management, was evaluated for possible surgical intervention. Several types of competitive artificial pacemakers were considered, as was surgical section of the His bundle plus conventional pacing. The patient was treated with a competitive, radio-frequency-coupled atrial pacemaker, which she herself operates to break her supraventricular tachycardias. The device has operated successfully on numerous occasions for over 15 months. Several other aspects of this patient's arrhythmias were discussed.