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Treatment of Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients with Heart Failure

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Abstract

Heart failure is a major public health concern that is frequently complicated by ventricular arrhythmias. Sustained ventricular tachycardia is associated with an increased risk for progressive heart failure and sudden death. We summarize the current management strategies for ventricular tachycardia in heart failure patients, including implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy, pharmacologic therapy, catheter ablation techniques, ventricular assist device therapy, and heart transplantation.

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Abbreviations

ALIVE:

Azimilide Postinfarct Survival Evaluation

ANDROMEDA:

Antiarrhythmic Trial with Dronedarone in Moderate to Severe CHF Evaluating Morbidity Decrease

CAPRICORN:

Carvedilol Post-Infarct Survival Control in Left Ventricular Dysfunction

CHF-STAT:

Congestive Heart Failure Survival Trial of Antiarrhythmic Therapy

CIBIS-II:

Cardiac Insufficiency Bisoprolol Study II

COPERNICUS:

Carvedilol Prospective Randomized Cumulative Survival

GESICA:

Grupo de Estudio de la Sobrevida en la Insuficiencia Cardiaca en Argentina

MERLIN TIMI-36:

Metabolic Efficiency with Ranolazine for Less Ischemia in Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes

MERIT-HF:

Metoprolol CR/XL Randomized Intervention Trial in Congestive Heart Failure

SCD-HeFT:

Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure

SHIELD:

Shock Inhibition Evaluation with Azimilide

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Disclosure

Conflicts of interest: M.W. Fong: none; L. Grazette: none; D. Cesario: has been a consultant for Boston Scientific and has received honoraria from Sanofi-Aventis and Medtronic; M. Cao: none; L. Saxon: has been a consultant for Boston Scientific, Medtronic, and St. Jude Medical.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1510 San Pablo Street, Suite 322, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA

    Michael W. Fong, Luanda Grazette, David Cesario, Michael Cao & Leslie Saxon

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  1. Michael W. Fong
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  2. Luanda Grazette
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  3. David Cesario
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  4. Michael Cao
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  5. Leslie Saxon
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Correspondence to Michael W. Fong.

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Fong, M.W., Grazette, L., Cesario, D. et al. Treatment of Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients with Heart Failure. Curr Cardiol Rep 13, 203–209 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-011-0182-5

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