Role of permanent pacemakers in the pharmacologic therapy of patients with reentrant tachyarrhythmias.
Improved pacemaker technology has permitted application in more diverse groups of patients. A more recently described subset appears to be those with reentrant tachycardias treatable with antiarrhythmic drugs. Here, pacing offers the ability both to test the efficacy of a drug regimen and to provide adjunctive "fail-safe" therapy for those with episodic breakthrough. With the advent of more sophisticated devices, especially those with cardioversion/defibrillation capability, we anticipate a growing interest in these applications which will undoubtedly benefit patients.
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D013611:Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013615:Tachycardia, Sinoatrial Nodal Reentry / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000628:therapy*
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents