Prognostic Value of Ventriculoatrial Conduction on Programmed Ventricular Stimulation in Patients Suspicious for Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia

Prediction of ventricular tachycardia (VT) inducibility through clinical and paraclinical predictors and ability of ventriculoatrial (VA) conduction can help to identify high risk patients easier. Fifty four patients suspicious for ventricular tachyarrhythmia underwent electrophysiologic study for basic measurements and programmed stimulation for ventricular tachycardia induction, electrocardiography and echocardiography during October 2007-October 2009. The mean age of participants was 59.4 13.9 years. Forty three patients (79.6%) were male and 39 patients (72.2%) had history of ischemic heart disease (IHD). ventricular tachycardia was induced in 30 patients (55.6%). Ventriculoatrial conduction was recorded in 38.9% of patients (21/54). Ventricular tachycardia was induced in 52.4% of patients (11/21) with ventriculoatrial conduction versus 57.6% (19/33) in ventriculoatrial dissociate patients (P = 0.3). Mean of ventriculoatrial Wenchebach point (VAWP) was 400 96.6 and 393 103.6 ms in ventricular tachycardia inducible and non inducible patients respectively (P = 0.4). Presence of ischemic heart disease and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were associated with increased probability of ventricular tachycardia induction (P = 0.008 and 0.04 respectively). Presence of ischemic heart disease predicts ventricular tachycardia inducibility independently. Patients with inducible ventricular tachycardia had slightly shorter atrial-His (AH) interval (97.33 30.4 and 112.1 42.6 ms, P = 0.07). Ventricular tachycardia induction was very slightly more common in ventriculoatrial dissociate patients but we could not prove it. Presence of ischemic heart disease independently and lower left ventricular ejection fraction dependently could predict ventricular tachycardia inducibility.