Ventricular pacing in atypical ventricular tachycardia.

Ventricular pacing was effective in controlling recurrent bouts of atypical ventricular tachycardia (Torsade de Pointes), in four patients. This arrhythmia was induced by quinidine or disopyramide therapy. Isoproterenol, which is the usually recommended therapy, was ineffective in two of the patients and was considered hazardous in two others. We consider ventricular pacing as a safe and reliable method for treatment of AVT, which should be applied if isoproterenol is ineffective or contraindicated.