March 1, 1985Heart107 citationsOpen Access
Tachycardia induced myocardial dysfunction. A reversible phenomenon?
Structured PICO
Does control of tachycardia improve left ventricular function in patients with tachycardia-induced myocardial dysfunction?
P
Population
4 patients with myocardial dysfunction related to tachycardia (re-entrant supraventricular tachycardia using an accessory atrioventricular connexion)
I
Intervention
Control of tachycardia
O
Outcome
Reversibility of left ventricular function assessed by echocardiographysurrogate
Control of prolonged tachycardia can lead to a variable degree of reversibility in tachycardia-induced myocardial dysfunction.
Abstract
Four patients with myocardial dysfunction related to tachycardia underwent electrophysiological studies, which showed a re-entrant supraventricular tachycardia using an accessory atrioventricular connexion. Serial assessment of left ventricular function by echocardiography before and after control of the tachycardia indicated a variable degree of reversibility. Endomyocardial biopsy in two patients detected non-specific histological changes. Because of the possible role of ischaemia in this condition effective control of prolonged tachycardia is needed to prevent deterioration of myocardial function.