Permanent rapid atrial pacing to control supraventricular tachycardia.
A case is reported of a patient who had continuous supraventricular tachycardia with a ventricular rate of about 170. The arrhythmia was refractory to drugs and DC countershock, and did not convert with atrial pacing. Rapid atrial stimulation controlled the ventricular rate by simulating atrial fibrillation (pacing at 300-400/min), or by simulating a faster atrial tachycardia with 2:1 conduction (pacing at 205-210/min). This form of therapy was used on a permanent basis for more than five months.
D000328:Adult; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D006325:Heart Atria; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents