Anchoring in a storm: the importance of substrate in polymorphic ventricular arrhythmias

Management of drug refractory recurrent polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PMVT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a unique challenge in electrophysiology. When there is no reversible cause and medications are ineffective, patients face an immediately life-threatening condition and agonizing recurrent defibrillations. This situation represents a true EP emergency. The patient ’s clinical condition may deteriorate from the repeated shocks and/or prolonged periods of hypotension in the resuscitation effort requiring cardiopulmonary bypass or other forms of life-support.
Source: Heart Rhythm - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research