Evidence-Based Approach to Palpitations.

Palpitations are a common presenting symptom in primary care, yet their cause can be difficult to diagnose due to their intermittent and sometimes infrequent nature. All patients presenting with a chief complaint of palpitations should undergo a detailed history, physical examination, and electrocardiogram (ECG). This alone can yield a probable diagnosis.

Do ICD diagnostics predict failure of ventricular tachycardia response to antitachycardia pacing and need for shock?

Background: Among heart failure patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (MMVT) failing antitachycardia pacing (ATP) and terminated by shock renders higher mortality as compared to MMVT terminated by ATP only. It is unknown if the higher mortality in ATP failure reflects decompensated heart failure.

Objective: It was the purpose of the present study to determine if ICD heart failure diagnostics can predict the failure of ATP and the need to shock to terminate MMVT.