Abstract
A 36-year-old man with a history of primary sclerosing cholangitis and epilepsy was admitted to our hospital for cholangitis. During admission he was resuscitated because of ventricular fibrillation. ECGs showed multiple ventricular premature beats (VPBs) with a short coupling interval (240 ms), resulting in frequent torsade de pointes (TdP). In total, the patient had to be defibrillated 12 times. Short-coupled TdP is a rare variant of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, with unknown aetiology. Verapamil seems to be the only drug able to suppress the arrhythmia. Verapamil, however, does not lower the risk of sudden death; therefore, an ICD implantation is advised. (Neth Heart J 2008;16:246-9.)
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Department of Cardiology, Kennemer Gasthuis, Haarlem, the Netherlands
Intensive Care department, Kennemer Gasthuis, Haarlem, the Netherlands
Department of Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
K. Bogaard Department of Cardiology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, PO Box 95500, 1090 HM Amsterdam, the Netherlands