Patient selection: atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia (AVNRT) or Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome
Factors having a negative impact on the patient's quality of life:
(1) frequent episodes (more than 1 episode a month)
(2) prolonged episodes (lasting more than 1 hour)
(3) episodes occurring at rest in addition to occurring during physical activity
Aspects of the QOL affected may include:
(1) mood and emotional status
(2) physical functioning
(3) social functioning
(4) vitality
(5) impression of general health
Additional factors that could impact the patient's QOL (not listed in paper):
(1) The occurrence of SVT during rest indicates more severe disease and an inability to avoid an episode (by avoiding exertion). This would suggest that an inability to control the attacks by medicines or the Valsalva maneuver would have a negative impact on the QOL.
(2) Whether or not the patient is terrified by an episode or afraid that it could occur at an inopportune time.
