Propranolol, a first-generation nonselective β-adrenoceptor blocking agent, is commonly used to treat pediatric arrhythmias. Atenolol, relatively long-acting, cardioselective β-adrenoceptor blocking agent, has been successfully used in adults with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). There is only one report on the use of atenolol in children with SVT, and our report is on the first long-term prospective study to evaluate the use of atenolol in children. A group of 22 children <18 years of age with clinical SVT were enrolled in the study. The tachycardia was documented on electrocardiograms in each case and was confirmed by electrophysiologic studies in some. Once- a-day oral atenolol was started as a monotherapy. Of the 22 children with various types of SVT, 13 (59%) were well controlled on long-term oral atenolol therapy. The effective dose of atenolol ranged between 0.3 and 1.3 mg/kg/day (median effective dose 0.7 mg/kg/day). Five children had some adverse effects. However, none in the successful group of 13 patients required drug discontinuation because of such effects. Once-a-day oral atenolol as a monotherapy is effective and relatively safe for long-term management of SVT during childhood. It is an attractive alternative β- adrenoceptor blocking agent for the management of pediatric arrhythmias.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ETSU/oai:dc.etsu.edu:etsu-works-14113 |
| Date | 01 January 1996 |
| Creators | Mehta, A. V., Subrahmanyam, A. B., Anand, R. |
| Publisher | Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University |
| Source Sets | East Tennessee State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Source | ETSU Faculty Works |
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