Ventricular tachycardia in the era of ventricular assist devices.

Sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with advanced cardiomyopathy is a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia. Newer treatment strategies have evolved that combine the use of catheter ablation to target the substrate for VT and ventricular assist devices (VADs) to hemodynamically support the failing ventricle. This editorial is targeted to the practicing clinician caring for these difficult patients.

Reversible dilated cardiomyopathy related to amphotericin B therapy.

We describe a patient who developed dilated cardiomyopathy and clinical congestive heart failure after 2 months of therapy with amphotericin B (AmB) for disseminated coccidioidomycosis. His echocardiographic abnormalities and heart failure resolved after posaconazole was substituted for AmB. It is important to recognize the rare and potentially reversible toxicity of AmB.