Introduction: Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) can be very bothersome and may potentially lead to considerable health-care utilization. Non-parenteral medication is currently unavailable for the rapid termination of paroxysmal SVT. However, an intranasal spray formulation of etripamil, a short-acting calcium-channel blocker, is under investigation as a convenient, safe, and rapidly efficacious means to terminate paroxysmal SVT.Areas covered: This review summarizes the clinical rationale, potential benefit, and clinical trials safety and efficacy data for the use of etripamil nasal spray to terminate paroxysmal SVT.Expert opinion: Based on the efficacy and tolerability demonstrated in phase 1 and 2 clinical trials, etripamil nasal spray is a potential convenient, safe, and effective means for patients to terminate paroxysmal SVT. It has the potential to improve quality of life, reduce health-care burden, and alter the current management paradigm for many patients with SVT. Further ongoing evaluation in ambulatory patients will help to determine its real-life practicality, safety, and effectiveness.
Keywords: Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia; atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia; calcium-channel blocker; etripamil nasal spray; paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.