title: The automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillator for a life threatening arrhythmia in a case of post-partum cardiomyopathy.
abstract: We report the development of severe life threatening polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in a young woman shortly following her first pregnancy, who ultimately required the insertion of an automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillator because of the failure of conventional antiarrhythmic therapy. Although only about 7 patients have received units in the UK to date, the experience in the USA, where up to 300 per month may be implanted, suggests that they will become a more common method of treatment in cases of life threatening arrhythmias.
authors.affiliation: National Heart Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bower
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Rickards
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rowland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000150:complications*; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*