DIAGNOSIS OF VENTRICULAR-TACHYCARDIA USING A PACEMAKER HOLTER FUNCTION

The diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia (VT) using the Holter functio n of an implanted pacemaker has not yet been reported. We present the case of a patient with episodes of slow VT, hemodynamically stable, bu t in whom long lasting attacks were not identified by the patient as V T recurrences, finally leading to progressive heart failure. Prospecti ve analysis of the 24-hour ECG and comparison with the pacemaker Holte r data allowed us to determine diagnostic criteria to recognize VT usi ng the pacemaker Holter function. Using these criteria it was possible to retrospectively diagnose VT occurrence during the weeks when the p atient was out-of-hospital.