Reversion of ventricular tachycardia by pacemaker stimulation.

Abstract

Reversion of ventricular tachycardia to either sinus rhythm or atrialfibrillation has been achieved in a group ofpatients by rapid ventricular pacing. The standard technique involved pacing at a rate slightly in excess of the existing tachycardia until ventricular capture was achieved. Cessation ofpacing after afew seconds was usually followed by a supraventricular rhythm, though pacing at a lower rate might be required to suppress completely ventricular ectopic activity. In the event of a return to ventricular tachycardia, ventricular capture was again achieved and the pacing rate gradually slowed to the point where ventricular premature beats first appeared; the heart was then paced slightly in excess of this critical rate.