Failure of amiodarone to prevent ventricular fibrillation (sudden death) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
A case of ventricular fibrillation with successful resuscitation is described in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a history of syncope. Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who are at risk for sudden death can be identified by electrocardiographic monitoring which demonstrates episodes of ventricular tachycardia. Therapy with amiodarone has been shown to abolish ventricular tachycardia and to reduce the incidence of sudden death. Amiodarone therapy eliminated malignant ventricular ectopic activity in this patient during 48 h of ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring, yet the subsequent exercise stress test provoked an episode of ventricular fibrillation.
Mercereau
D
D
Department of Medicine, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta.
Kubac
G
G
Klinke
W P
WP
D000328:Adult; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
D000638:Amiodarone