Telemetry-documented, pace-terminable ventricular tachycardia in patients with ventricular fibrillation

Am J Cardiol. 1998 Jan 15;81(2):235-8. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9149(97)00880-1.

Abstract

The follow-up prevalence of electrogram-confirmed spontaneous ventricular tachycardia with a cycle length of >280 ms (53%) exceeds the prevalence of ventricular fibrillation (23%) in patients whose only spontaneous arrhythmia before implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation was ventricular fibrillation. Antitachycardia pacing therapy safely terminates most (89%) of these slower ventricular tachycardia episodes, recommending the use of tiered-therapy devices and anticipatory activation of ventricular tachycardia detection and treatment algorithms for ventricular fibrillation patients who receive an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electrocardiography / methods*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pacemaker, Artificial*
  • Telemetry*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / physiopathology
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / therapy*