Recurrent paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia: a complication of ventricular pacing in a patient with occult Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
A 60 year old man suffering from syncope believed to be due to the sick sinus syndrome was treated with a permanent demand ventricular pacemaker. This led to almost continous bouts of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) over the ensuing two years, mistakenly believed to be part of the sick sinus syndrome. Careful study showed that this man had a type A Wolff-Parkinson-White accessory atrioventricular connection which consistently conducted retrogradely, but only rarely antegradely, during applications of carotid sinus massage. Episodes of SVT were repeatedly induced whenever ventricular-paced impulses captured the atria retrogradely. All episodes of SVT stopped when the ventricular pacemaker was removed. Following insertion of an atrial pacemaker, the patient had no episodes of SVT or syncope over a nineteen month follow-up period. This case illustrates the care required in selecting a proper site for protective pacing in patients who suffer from paroxysmal SVT.
D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012008:Recurrence; D013614:Tachycardia, Paroxysmal / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014927:Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology