Revista portuguesa de cardiologia : orgão oficial da Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia = Portuguese journal of cardiology : an official journal of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology
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Patients with coronary heart disease and left ventricular dysfunction are at increased risk for the development of ventricular tachycardia (VT) related to areas of myocardial fibrosis. Although the mechanism and the circuit of this arrhythmia are well understood, little is known about the triggers that precipitate VT episodes. Purkinje fiber potentials may be responsible for idiopathic VT, and recent studies have related them to polymorphic VT and ventricular fibrillation. ⋯ The results suggest that residual Purkinje fibers may be present in scar regions and that the activity of these fibers may trigger VT in pre-established circuits.