Incidence and clinical relevance of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in pulmonary hypertension.

Background: In patients with severe pulmonary hypertension (PH), right ventricular function is a main determinant of clinical stability and outcome. Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (SVTs) may compromise cardiac function and threaten prognosis in patients with PH, but the incidence and clinical relevance of SVTs in PH and chronic right ventricular failure have not been evaluated.

Methods: In a 6-year retrospective single-center analysis, 231 consecutive patients followed for pulmonary arterial hypertension, or inoperable chronic thromboembolic PH were studied for SVTs.