Tachyarrhythmias. Application of new information to clinical management

Currently used approaches to the management of recurrent tachycardias are defined by an understanding of the significance of the clinical presentation and the limitations of presently available laboratory methods. Selection of the appropriate laboratory technique is important and has to be based on an understanding of the goals of antiarrhythmic therapy. A systematic approach to the selection of antiarrhythmic therapy has now been developed. In selected subgroups of patients, no antiarrhythmic therapy is indicated; however, in high-risk and severely symptomatic patients, aggressive laboratory investigation utilizing electrophysiologic techniques is clearly warranted and should be employed.