title: A Case of Cough-induced Ventricular Tachycardia in a Patient with a Left Ventricular Assist Device.
abstract: In this case, the patient's ventricular tachycardia (VT) was specifically induced by coughing, which has not previously been described. Decreasing the rotational speed of the left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and increasing preload by stopping the patient's nitrates and reducing diuretic dose allowed improved filling of the left ventricle (LV) and increased LV volumes. When coughing recurred, the effects on the LV cavity were less pronounced and thus VT was reduced. Although ventricular arrhythmias are common after LVAD placement, this is a unique case in which VT was caused by coughing, which is ordinarily not considered arrhythmogenic.
authors.affiliation: Section of Electrophysiology, Cardiology Division, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Emily Sue
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Ruckdeschel
authors.affiliation: Section of Electrophysiology, Cardiology Division, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wolfel
authors.affiliation: Section of Electrophysiology, Cardiology Division, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA. Electronic address: duy.t.nguyen@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Duy Thai
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003371:Cough / Q000150:complications*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Cough; Left ventricular assist device (LVAD); Ventricular tachycardia