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Practice patterns of cardiologists, general practitioners, and internists for managing supraventricular tachycardias in Greece.

TitlePractice patterns of cardiologists, general practitioners, and internists for managing supraventricular tachycardias in Greece.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsVassilikos, V. P., Mantziari L., Goudis C. A., Paraskevaidis S., Dakos G., Stavropoulos G., Giannoglou G., Efthimiadis G., Mochlas S., Parcharidis G., Louridas G., & Styliadis I. H.
JournalEur J Emerg Med
Volume18
Issue3
Pagination153-6
Date Published2011 Jun
ISSN1473-5695
KeywordsAnti-Arrhythmia Agents, Cardiology, Catheter Ablation, Chi-Square Distribution, Cross-Sectional Studies, General Practitioners, Greece, Health Care Surveys, Humans, Physician's Practice Patterns, Questionnaires, Tachycardia, Supraventricular, Time Factors
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Supraventricular tachycardias (SVT) often lead to emergency room and primary care visits. Not only cardiologists, but also general practitioners (GPs) and internists are involved to an increasing extent in the acute and long-term management of SVT. We aimed to explore the differences between practice patterns of cardiologists and noncardiologists with regard to SVT management in Greece.METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 250 cardiologists and 250 GPs/internists from various areas across Greece.RESULTS: A response rate of 61.8% was obtained. Vagal maneuvers were the initial therapeutic approach for SVT termination; however, 22% of noncardiologists would rather start with an antiarrhythmic drug. Adenosine was the most popular drug for SVT termination, but the GPs/internists would use it less often than the cardiologists (67 vs. 86%, P<0.001). The GPs/internists would keep the patient for at least 24 h or more after SVT termination, while 48% of the cardiologists would discharge the patient within the first 3 h. Noncardiologists would more often suggest a 24-h Holter recording than the cardiologists (73 vs. 55%, P<0.005). With regard to the long-term management of SVT, the GPs/internists would prescribe antiarrhythmic drugs earlier than the cardiologists, and seem to be less familiar with the indications for the electrophysiological testing and ablation.CONCLUSION: Significant differences in practice patterns exist in Greece with regard to SVT management between cardiologists and noncardiologists. The GPs/internists seem to rely more on antiarrhythmic drugs and tend to underestimate the role of ablation therapy for the long-term management of SVT.

DOI10.1097/MEJ.0b013e328341ee61
Alternate JournalEur J Emerg Med
PubMed ID21099433

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