VENTRICULAR-TACHYCARDIA DURING EXERCISE TESTING AS A PREDICTOR OF SUDDEN-DEATH IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC CHAGASIC CARDIOMYOPATHY AND VENTRICULAR ARRHYTHMIAS

Objective-To verify the prognostic value of exercise induced ventricul ar arrhythmias in patients with chagasic cardiomyopathy. Methods-69 co nsecutive patients (37 male, 32 female; age range 21-67 years) with ch ronic chagasic cardiomyopathy and ventricular arrhythmias (more than 1 0 ventricular premature complexes per hour) were evaluated during trea dmill exercise testing, using the Bruce protocol. Protocol end points were peak heart rate or presence of sustained ventricular tachycardia. Main outcome measure-Sudden cardiac death. Results-44 patients (group I) developed ventricular tachycardia during exercise testing (five su stained and 39 non-sustained), and 25 did not (group II). After a foll ow up of 24 (SD 15) months sudden cardiac death occurred in seven pati ents in group I and in none in group II (P < 0.05). Conclusions-Ventri cular tachycardia on exercise testing is significantly associated with sudden cardiac death in patients with chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy and ventricular arrhythmias.