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Ventricular Tachycardia: Historical Perspective
BRIAN McGOVERN,
MARK H. SCHOENFELD,
JEREMY N. RUSKIN,
HASAN GARAN,
PETER M. YURCHAK,
Corresponding Author
BRIAN McGOVERN
Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Massachusetts General and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospitals, Boston, Massachusetts
Address for reprints; Brian McGovern. MB, Cardiac Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. MA 02114 USA.Search for more papers by this authorMARK H. SCHOENFELD
Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Massachusetts General and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospitals, Boston, Massachusetts
Search for more papers by this authorJEREMY N. RUSKIN
Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Massachusetts General and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospitals, Boston, Massachusetts
Search for more papers by this authorHASAN GARAN
Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Massachusetts General and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospitals, Boston, Massachusetts
Search for more papers by this authorPETER M. YURCHAK
Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Massachusetts General and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospitals, Boston, Massachusetts
Search for more papers by this authorBRIAN McGOVERN,
MARK H. SCHOENFELD,
JEREMY N. RUSKIN,
HASAN GARAN,
PETER M. YURCHAK,
Corresponding Author
BRIAN McGOVERN
Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Massachusetts General and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospitals, Boston, Massachusetts
Address for reprints; Brian McGovern. MB, Cardiac Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. MA 02114 USA.Search for more papers by this authorMARK H. SCHOENFELD
Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Massachusetts General and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospitals, Boston, Massachusetts
Search for more papers by this authorJEREMY N. RUSKIN
Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Massachusetts General and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospitals, Boston, Massachusetts
Search for more papers by this authorHASAN GARAN
Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Massachusetts General and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospitals, Boston, Massachusetts
Search for more papers by this authorPETER M. YURCHAK
Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Massachusetts General and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospitals, Boston, Massachusetts
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Ventricular tachycardia is now diagnosed frequently in patients with organic heart disease. Although ventricular tachycardia was first demonstrated electrocardiographically 75 years ago, the natural history, fundamental mechanisms, and optimal management have remained elusive. Early observers commented on the rarity of occurrence and poor prognosis associated with this arrhythmia, yet with time, some patients with ventricular tachycardia were reported to survive for prolonged periods. Because of the sporadic nature of the arrhythmia and its variable prognosis, assessment of the efficacy of therapies has been difficult. A wide variety of treatments has been advocated with enthusiasm, but only a few have been consistently reported to be effective. Citation of historical data to claim benefit from new treatments should be viewed with caution.
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