title: The role of ventricular tachycardia ablation in the reduction of implantable defibrillator shocks.
abstract: Frequent shocks from an implantable defibrillator (ICD) can have adverse cardiac affects and lead to increased pain, anxiety, and a decreased quality of life. Pharmacologic attempts and ICD reprogramming strategies aimed at reducing ICD shocks have modest results, with frequent discontinuation of medicines because of side effects. Ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation is recommended in the treatment of patients with frequent ICD shocks caused by VT. VT ablation may also be considered in patients with an initial ICD shock and as prophylactic treatment in patients with a history of sustained VT who are undergoing ICD implant.
authors: Washington Electrophysiology, and Cardiovascular Research Institute, Washington Hospital Center, 106 Irving Street, NW, South #204, Washington, DC 20010-2975, USA. Ganesh.S.Venkataraman@medstar.net
authors: Ganesh
authors: G
authors: Venkataraman
authors: S Adam
authors: SA
authors: Strickberger
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000465:Algorithms; D018780:Body Surface Potential Mapping / Q000379:methods; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists