Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia: A Complication of Jugular Central Venous Catheters in Neonates

• Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia developed in two infants with structurally normal hearts and no evidence of ventricular preexcitation. In both infants, the onset of the arrhythmia was associated with the presence of an indwelling jugular venous catheter in the body of the right atrium. Repeated episodes of the arrhythmia occurred while the catheter remained in place. Restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm could only be achieved after withdrawal of the catheter. ( AJDC 1984;138:474-475)