Transvenous Pacing in Two Patients With Repetitive Ventricular Arrhythmias

The use of transvenous pacemaking for the treatment of repititive, drug resistant, ventricular arrhythmias which are not associated with atrioventricular (AV) block has thus far been reported in nine patients.¹⁻⁶The purpose of this article is to report two more patients in which the temporary use of this technique was of distinct value in this situation. Patient Summaries Patient 1. —A 49-year-old restaurant operator entered Bataan Methodist Hospital emergency room on Aug 30, 1967. He complained of severe, steady, retrosternal chest pain. His blood pressure was 160/100 mm Hg, and his pulse rate was 90 beats per minute with regular rhythm. Findings from examination of the heart, lungs, peripheral pulses, and neck veins were within normal limits. An electrocardiogram (Fig 1) showed an acute anterior myocardial infarction. Meperidine (Demerol) hydrochloride and oxygen were given and an intravenous pathway was established. Shortly after the first ECG, the patient suddenly