Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia Treated with Esmolol before Anesthesia Induction: A case report

Abstract

We describe the case of a 61-year-old woman who manifested with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). She was scheduled with gastrectomy and partial hepatectomy because of stomach cancer metastasis. EKG findings were normal in the preoperative period but she had symptoms of palpitation, restlessness, and a high systolic blood pressure (180 mmHg) in the operating room before anesthesia induction. On her EKGs, we recognized a PSVT characterized by a high pulse rate of 180 beats per minute, a narrow QRS complex of 40 msec, and no P wave. These findings were not terminated by carotid massage or antiarrhythmics (verapamil and lidocaine), but were completely treated by the beta-blocker, esmolol. We consider that esmolol is a good choice for the treatment of PSVT with a narrow QRS complex combined with a high blood pressure in case with known hypertension or that have experienced preoperative anxiety or stress.