[Cardiomyopathy induced by tachycardia: description of a typical clinical case]

Different chronic tachyarrhythmias may cause a form of reversible myocardial dysfunction and left ventricular enlargement known as tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. Many authors in recent years observed that the control of heart rate or interruption of the arrhythmia were frequently associated with a significant improvement in ventricular function and a reduction of cardiac dimensions. We report a case of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy secondary to atrial fibrillation of unknown duration which occurred in a young patient with structurally normal heart. The regression of left ventricular enlargement and the recovery of left ventricular systolic function were complete few months after the restoration of sinus rhythm.