Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy, a diagnosis forgotten in the real world : review of case series

Abstract EN

Background: Left ventricular dysfunction induced by long-standing recurrent tachyarrhythmias, known as tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy, is a reversible type of dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure characterized by left ventricular failure that is usually recoverable once the tachyarrhythmia is well controlled by stabilizing the sinus rhythm or by heart rate control.

Patients and methods: Twenty four patients with heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy and tachyarrhythmia were included.

The arrhythmia and heart failure were both treated accordingly.

The New York Heart Association'sfunctional class, left ventricular ejection fraction assessment and chest X-ray were done periodically to assess improvement.

Results: Stabilization of the sinus rhythm was achieved in all patients.

The NYHA class improved remarkably, from class III-IV to class I in all patients.

The left ventricular ejection fraction rose remarkably from 20-30% to 45-57%.

The cardiac size remarkably improved radiologically.

The symptoms of recurrent long-standing palpitation preceding the symptoms of dyspnea in heart failure are the first implication that arrhythmia is inducing the heart failure this was noticed in 20 patients.

Conclusion: Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy is a reversible cause of heart failure.

Controlling the arrhythmia recovers normal LV function.