title: Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia in dilated cardiomyopathy.
abstract: In patients with structural heart disease, ventricular arrhythmias are associated with an increased risk of overall mortality and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) is common in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy of both ischemic and nonischemic origin. Recent studies suggest that NSVT may be a marker, but not a significant predictor, of mortality and SCD in that suppression of NSVT in these patients using antiarrhythmic drugs is of questionable benefit. Additionally, indications for implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation do not include NSVT. This article focuses on the prognostic significance and treatment of patients with NSVT and ischemic or nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 4A107, 50 Irving Street, NW, Washington, DC 20422, USA.
authors.forename: Frank A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Cuoco
authors.forename: Steven N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents