Clinical Features, Management and Outcomes of Supraventricular Tachycardia in Newborns: A 10‐Year Multicenter Experience
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: AIM: Neonatal supraventricular tachycardia lacks neonatal-specific evidence to guide therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data of neonates with supraventricular tachycardia across two Italian centres between 2014 and 2024. Clinical features, mechanisms, echocardiography, biomarkers, acute and maintenance therapy were collected; outcomes included recurrences, intensive-care admission, electrophysiology and ablation. RESULTS: Thirty-two infants were included (59% male; median onset 14 days). Among the supraventricular tachycardia mechanisms, we identified atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia in 72%, AV-nodal reentrant tachycardia in 9%, permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia in 9%, focal atrial tachycardia in 9%. Median ejection fraction was 60% overall and 39% in those with heart failure; tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy occurred in 28%. First-episode termination was spontaneous in 13%, achieved with vagal manoeuvres in 28% and adenosine in 47%. Maintenance therapy was required in 97% for a median of 21 months. During a mean 3.75-year Follow-up, recurrence after withdrawal occurred in 3; electrophysiology was performed in 3 and ablation in 2. Elevated NT-pro-brain natriuretic peptide and focal atrial tachicardia/permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia phenotypes correlated with greater therapy burden. CONCLUSIONS: Atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia predominates in neonatal supraventricular tachycardia. While acute control is usually attainable, sustained control often requires prolonged combination therapy. Early mechanism assignment and biomarker-informed risk stratification may guide step-up treatment, and catheter ablation is a viable option for refractory cases beyond infancy.
Source: Acta Paediatrica
DOI: 10.1111/apa.70472
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7127447182