Ventricular arrhythmias. Clinical recognition and management.

The recognition that patients at high risk for sudden cardiac death can be identified raises our enthusiasm to eliminate some of these risk factors and thus our hope to prevent sudden cardiac death. Although this effect is yet to be shown in cooperative, well-controlled clinical trials, data exist to suggest that this result will be achieved. Thus, the use of antiarrhythmic agents in chronic ventricular ectopy, particularly in patients with left ventricular dysfunction, seems to be warranted, and new and more potent agents to be used for this end will be available in the future.