[Stable tachycardia as a cause of heart failure]

The authors described a patient in whom the right vagus had been cut during removal of hormonally inactive chemodectoma in the bifurcation of the external and internal carotid arteries. Stable sinus and then atrial tachycardia (140-180 strokes per min.) developed on the operating table. Congestive cardiac insufficiency developed in 3 yrs. Treatment with diuretics cardiac glycosides was ineffective. Clinical and x-ray signs of cardiac insufficiency disappeared after atrial tachycardia was converted into atrial fibrillation with ventricular contractions up to 80 per min. A conclusion has been made that stable tachycardia causes the development of cardiac insufficiency.