Recurrence of Supraventricular Tachycardia in Children: Who is at Risk, and What is the Outcome?

Introduction: Limited data are available concerning supraventricular tachycardiac (SVT) recurrence. Hence, this study aimed to determine the incidence, outcome, and factors associated with SVT recurrence. Methods: This retrospective, observational, population-based study was conducted among children with SVT from 2006 to 2020. The primary outcome measure was SVT recurrence. Kaplan Meier analysis was used to estimate SVT-free at 1, 5, and 10 years after diagnosis. Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent factors associated with recurrence. Results: There were 156 patients with SVT with a median age at diagnosis of 1.9 years (Interquartile range [IQR] 11 days to 8.7 years) and follow-up for a median of 3.5 years (IQR 1.7 to 6.1 years). Thirty-five patients (22%) had recurrent SVT at a median age of 7.8 years (IQR 4.4 to 12 years). Infants with Wolf-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW) had the highest recurrence (11/16, 68%), with 33% SVT-free at 5 years follow-up. The lowest recurrence rate was observed in neonatal diagnosis (2/54,3.7%) with 98% SVT-free at 5 years follow-up. The independent factors associated with the recurrence of SVT were the diagnosis of WPW with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 5.6 (95%CI 2.6–12.2), age of more than one year at diagnosis (aHR 4.3 95%CI 1.7–10.8), and combine and second-line therapy (aHR 4.1 95%CI 1.6–10.7). Conclusion: One in five children with SVT experienced a recurrence, which is more likely for those with WPWs, multiple maintenance therapy, and older age at first presentation. Whereas neonates with non-WPW may benefit from shorter maintenance therapy.