Automatic implantable defibrillator for the patient with recurrent refractory malignant ventricular arrhythmias: case report.

Clinically, the first line of treatment for patients experiencing potentially lethal arrhythmias includes antiarrhythmic medications and/or treatment of underlying causes such as ischemia or congestive heart failure. However, if the treatment is not successful in controlling the arrhythmia, the automatic implantable defibrillator is a viable alternative for the prevention of sudden death in these patients. The case report presents one example of how the automatic implantable defibrillator can supplement conventional medical therapy when success in suppressing recurrent arrhythmias cannot be obtained. This concept has been demonstrated in this 59-year-old woman who underwent several medication trials in an attempt to control her life-threatening arrhythmias.