title: Current treatment of ventricular arrhythmias: state of the art.
abstract: Ventricular arrhythmias may be benign, requiring only evaluation for associated risks and then reassurance, or associated with a risk of sudden death or significant morbidity. Therapies for these arrhythmias have evolved considerably over the past 20 years. For some, a definitive, curative therapy is available in the form of catheter ablation. Others are best managed with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator that provides effective arrhythmia termination and protection from sudden death, with antiarrhythmic drugs or ablation to control recurrent arrhythmias. Although progress has been substantial, many challenges remain.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. Electronic address: wstevenson@partners.org.
authors.forename: William G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Stevenson
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D006801:Humans; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
keywords: Ablation; Antiarrhythmic drug; Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator; Ventricular tachycardia