Cardiology Clinics 2008-08-01

Role of drug therapy for sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias.

L Brent Mitchell

Index: Cardiol. Clin. 26(3) , 405-18, vi, (2008)

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Abstract

Antiarrhythmic drug therapy, broadly defined, is the mainstay of treatment and prevention of ventricular tachycardia (VT)/ventricular fibrillation (VF), which can lead to sudden death. This article evaluates the evidence for and appropriate use of class I antiarrhythmic drugs, class III antiarrhythmic drugs, beta-blockers, nondihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers, statins, angiotensin enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, aldosterone blockers, and digoxin for antiarrhythmic benefits in patients who have a propensity for VT/VF and therefore are at risk of sudden death.