Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 3/8/2010

Question
Hi,

I am wondering if it is ok to have surgery/ anesthesia if I have SVT? Do people with a history of SVT generally go into SVT when they get the adrenaline from your experience?


Thanks!

Answer
People with SVT do have surgery and it is OK as long as we know about it, we can be prepared. I don't understand the question about adrenaline (epinephrine). You generally don't get it during surgery and if you do get it, it causes tachycardia in all people so it would mimic SVT in a normal person.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston