T. Matsuyama et al., T wave alternans for predicting adverse effects of amiodarone in a patientwith dilated cardiomyopathy, JPN CIRC J, 65(5), 2001, pp. 468-470
Citations number
19
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems","Cardiovascular & Hematology Research
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) was used in a 62-yoar-old m
an with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) because of hemodynamically intolerable
ventricular tachycardia (VT). Amiodarone was administered after a second e
pisode of ICD discharge. Three weeks Inter, incessant VT appeared, and DC d
ischarge failed to terminate it. Microvolt T wave alternans (TWA) measured
by a spectral method, was observed in this patient with and without amiodar
one administration. The onset heart rare with TWA was lower and the alterna
ns voltage as higher with amiodarone than without it. The effects of amioda
rone appear ed to be related to the exacerbation of VT and an increased def
ibrillation threshold. TWA might be useful in predicting the proarrhythmic
effects of amiodarone in similar cases.