Vasopressor Therapy in the Cardiac Arrhythmias

Abstract

IN the last decade many investigators have demonstrated that the administration of vasopressor drugs may terminate paroxysmal supraventricular and ventricular tachycardia.^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11} However, it is only recently that the physiologic mechanism of this effect has become clear as a result of the experimental demonstration of the hemodynamic behavior of the coronary circulation during the arrhythmias.^{12 13 14} Clinicians have long recognized that anginal pain occurs during rapid tachycardias or frequent premature systoles. Furthermore, electrocardiographic and morphologic myocardial changes typical of coronary insufficiency often follow a prolonged paroxysm of tachycardia, particularly if coronary-artery narrowing exists. Rapid supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias may cause a marked . . .