Why the study?
What is the value and limitations of programmed electrical stimulation in studying and treating tachycardias?
What is the value and limitations of programmed electrical stimulation in studying and treating tachycardias?
Programmed electrical stimulation is a valuable tool for evaluating tachycardia mechanisms and guiding therapy, while also improving the diagnostic utility of the 12-lead ECG.
May refine ECG diagnosis of tachycardias; leaves open prospective validation of PES-guided therapy.
A review is given on the use of programmed electrical stimulation of the heart in patients suffering from tachycardia. The application of this technique makes it possible to evaluate mechanisms of tachycardia directly in the human heart. By repeating the same stimulation program following drug administration the effect of drugs on arrhythmia mechanisms can be studied. There are several factors, however, that influence the amount of information on mechanism and pathway of tachycardia and selection of appropriate therapy that can be obtained during the study. These factors as well as how information obtained programmed electrical stimulation of the heart has resulted in a better use of the 12-lead electrocardiogram as a diagnostic tool are discussed.
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H. J. J. Wellens (1978) studied this question.