Long-term antiarrhythmic pharmaco-therapy guided by Holter monitoring in patients with malignant ventricular arrhythmias and ischemic heart disease.

ABSTRACT

In 126 patients with clinical ventricular tachycardia and/or fibrillation, ischemic heart disease and repetitive and/or frequent ventricular ectopic beats long-term therapy guided by Holter ecg was assessed. Criteria for efficacy of antiarrhythmic drugs were following 1) > 75% decrease in ectopic beats, 2) elimination of salvos, 3) > 90% reduction of couples and R/T and 4) reduction of multiformity up to 2 forms. They were fulfilled in 71% of patients (responders). During follow-up 1-49 months, mean 20, rate of sudden death was lower in responders as compared with nonresponders (p < 0.05). However, suppression of ventricular ectopic beats was not predictive for a favorable outcome, because the incidence of arrhythmic events and total cardiac death was similar in the two groups.