Heart rhythm : the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society
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The electrophysiologic mechanisms of different ventriculoatrial (VA) block patterns during atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) are poorly understood. ⋯ Most AVNRTs with different VA block patterns were amenable to classic slow pathway ablation. The reentrant circuit could be contained within a functionally protected region around the AV node and posterior nodal extensions, and different VA block patterns resulted from variable conduction at tissues extrinsic to the reentrant circuit.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Effects of a rate smoothing algorithm for prevention of ventricular arrhythmias: results of the Ventricular Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (VAST).
Rate smoothing, which is available in some pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), has been used to prevent Torsades de Pointes in patients with long QT syndrome. Its efficacy in general ventricular arrhythmia prevention has not been determined. ⋯ Rate smoothing does not result in a reduction in ventricular arrhythmias in a heterogeneous population of patients receiving ICDs.
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Editorial Comment
Pacing for prevention of ventricular arrhythmias: time for a pause.