Vasopressor Therapy in the Cardiac Arrhythmias

Abstract

IN the last decade many investigators have demonstrated that the administration of vasopressor drugs may terminate paroxysmal supraventricular and ventricular tachycardia.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 However, it is only recently that the physiologic mechanism of this effect has become clear as a result of the experimental demonstration of the hemodynamic behavior of the coronary circulation during the arrhythmias.12 13 14 Clinicians have long recognized that anginal pain occurs during rapid tachycardias or frequent premature systoles. Furthermore, electrocardiographic and morphologic myocardial changes typical of coronary insufficiency often follow a prolonged paroxysm of tachycardia, particularly if coronary-artery narrowing exists. Rapid supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias may cause a marked . . .