An Unusual Cardiac (Ventricular) Arrhythmia in a Child: Psychiatric and Psychophysiologic Aspects

An 11-year-old boy suddenly developed paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia, a very rare and often fatal cardiac arrhythmia, and was referred for psychiatric care after months of only moderate response to medical management. The boy and his parents were treated for over a year. The parents learned through close observation that feelings of impatience, frustration, and annoyance were associated with ventricular tachycardia and that postexercise periods, achievement, and contentedness were associated with normal sinus rhythm. The observations were confirmed and documented by the use of a standard and portable EKG unit. The probable psychophysiologic mechanisms include norepinephrine stimulation; symptoms appeared related to specific attitudes.