Patient-activated transvenous cardiac stimulation for the treatment of supraventricular and ventricular tachycardia.
Recurrent, drug-refractory sustained tachycardias present a difficult management problem. After invasive electrophysiologic study and extensive antiarrhythmic drug testing, a permanent transvenous lead system and radiofrequency stimulator that required patient activation for burst pacing were implanted in eight patients with refractory ventricular tachycardia. In a follow-up period of 2 to 28.5 months (mean 12) each patient has successfully terminated multiple episodes of recurrent tachycardia without complication. This therapeutic approach has allowed a reduction in antiarrhythmic drug dosage and adverse effects, has obviated the need for frequent hospital admissions resulting from recurrent tachycardia, and has met with excellent patient acceptance.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents