Future directions: electrical therapy for cardiac tachyarrhythmias.
Directions and research opportunities in basic animal and clinical investigations and in industry that relate to the application and development of electrical devices which control tachyarrhythmias are presented. In basic research, a better understanding of mechanisms responsible for tachyarrhythmias , their onset and methods of termination, would provide increased rationale for selecting a particular therapeutic approach. Knowing the distribution in the heart of applied electrical current when delivered by different types of electrodes placed at different myocardial sites would be helpful. Clinically, we must develop appropriate algorithms to accurately differentiate sinus tachycardia, the various forms of supraventricular tachycardias and ventricular tachycardia. These must be incorporated into future cardioverters and defibrillators . In industry, new sensors, electrodes, expanded telemetry capabilities and implanted microprocessors will aid in creation of a universally applicable generic form of electrical therapy that can be programmed to treat any form of tachycardia.
D000818:Animals; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000639:trends*; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000639:trends*; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000628:therapy*