Recurrent ventricular tachycardia

ABSTRACT

Seventeen patients with recurrent ventricular tachycardia were studied. Fourteen had acute cardiac infraction, one with Rh. heart disease, one with hypertension and one had no clinical heart disease. The underlying causes for recurrence were left ventricular failure in 3 patients, extension of infraction in 3 patients and left ventricular aneurysm in 2 patients. Hypokalemia and thyrotoxicosis were found each in 2 patients while drug toxicity was found in 5 patients 3 with digitalis, 1 with isoprenalin and 1 with insulin. Diagnosis was established from the surface ECG in 15 patients while in 2 patients it was difficult and in one of them necessitated an intracardiac ECG and in the other patient right atrial pacing was needed to rule out supraventricular tachycardia with aberration. DC shock and xylocaine were successful to stop VT in all patients. Quinidine was the most successful single drug to prevent recurrences in 9 patients. Procaine amide, propranolol were successful each in 2 patients. Combination of quinidine and diphenylhydantion were necessary to prevent the arrhythmia in one patient with LV aneurysm. Correction of underlying cause was mandatory