PAROXYSMAL VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA

Abstract

The etiology, treatment, and prognosis of paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia in 83 patients has been reviewed. Underlying ischmic heart disease was present in 72%. In 4(5%) there was no evidence of heart disease. The tachycardia was considered to be induced by digitalis in 22%, and possibly induced by digitalis in a further 11%. The importance of assessing the possible etiological role of digitalis in each case is emphasized. A high proportion of cases of the intermittent variety and without associated congestive cardiac failure will revert spontaneously to normal rhythm in the first 24 hours. Oral quinidine has been shown to be a valuable therapeutic agent. In the more resistant cases, the intravenous administration of either quinidine or procaine amide was equally successful.