What is the most appropriate long-term therapy for supraventricular tachycardia?

Long-term therapy for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) aims to prevent episodes and manage the underlying condition effectively. Beta-blockers, such as metoprolol, are commonly used as a first-line treatment option in this context.

Metoprolol is a selective beta-1 adrenergic antagonist that reduces heart rate and the force of myocardial contraction. By blocking adrenergic stimulation, it helps in controlling heart rate during SVT episodes and decreases the frequency of these episodes over time. This pharmacological action makes it particularly suitable for long-term management of SVT.

Diltiazem, while also effective in treating rapid heart rates by causing calcium channel blockade, is often used for rate control but is not always the first choice for long-term therapy in SVT unless there are other comorbidities that warrant its use. Adenosine is primarily an acute treatment for terminating certain types of SVT, and its use is typically limited to in-hospital settings due to its short half-life. Amiodarone is more commonly reserved for more complicated arrhythmias and may have significant side effects with long-term use, making it less desirable as a primary long-term treatment for simple SVT.

Therefore, metoprol