Analysis of the treatment of spontaneous sustained stable ventricular tachycardia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the termination rate of spontaneous sustained stable ventricular tachycardia (SSSVT) as a function of the first and second therapeutic interventions used, and to determine factors associated with successful termination.


METHODS
A multihospital, retrospective analysis of the treatment of patients with SSSVT was performed. The setting included 2 urban county hospitals, 2 urban private hospitals, and a Veterans Affairs hospital. Cases were identified by discharge diagnosis and ECG characteristics, and confirmed by electrophysiology study or ECG criteria.


RESULTS
There were 40 cases of SSSVT identified. Excluding adenosine, 35 patients were treated with lidocaine as a first intervention. The rate of termination with lidocaine bolus was 17% (6 of 35) (95% CI 7-34%). Regarding the 35 patients initially treated with lidocaine, the odds of termination of SSSVT were 11 times greater in those without a history of previous myocardial infarction (MI) than in those with a history of MI (95% CI 0.96-551). Of the 29 patients who failed initial lidocaine treatment, 23 were treated with a second lidocaine bolus, with a termination rate of 18% (4 of 22) (95% CI 5-40%). Only 2 patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia had a concurrent MI, and the tachycardia was unresponsive to initial lidocaine bolus in both cases. Fifteen patients received adenosine with no tachycardia terminations and no significant adverse effects.


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of SSSVT termination with lidocaine was low, particularly in patients with a history of Mi.
Marill
K A
KA
Texas Tech University, Department of Emergency Medicine, El Paso 79905-2060, USA. emmekam@ttuhsc.edu
Greenberg
G M
GM
Kay
D
D
Nelson
B K
BK
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D008012:Lidocaine