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Ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation: therapeutic alternatives
J D Fisher1, S G Kim, J A Roth
1Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York 10467.
Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology : PACE
|February 1, 1991
Summary
No single treatment effectively manages ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF). While various therapies show similar survival rates, optimizing risk-benefit and managing heart failure remain key challenges for cardiac mortality.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Medical Therapy
Background:
- Ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF) presents a complex therapeutic challenge.
- No single treatment approach is universally effective for all patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current therapeutic strategies for VT/VF.
- To identify major challenges in managing cardiac mortality in these patients.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing data on drug therapy, electrophysiological studies, surgery, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), antitachycardia pacers, and ablation.
- Analysis of survival rates and mortality causes across different treatment groups.
Main Results:
- Patients responding to drugs, those not inducible post-surgery, and those with ICDs exhibit similar low sudden death rates and long-term mortality.
- Overall survival is approximately 60% at 60 months across various treatment modalities.
- Drug unresponsiveness and surgical risks are significant limitations for some patients.
Conclusions:
- Therapeutic choices for VT/VF must balance risk and benefit.
- Addressing pump failure and progressive cardiac disease is crucial for improving long-term survival and reducing cardiac mortality.