Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy: evaluation and therapeutic options.

Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy is caused by sustained rapid ventricular rates and is one of the well-known forms of reversible myocardial dysfunction. The diagnosis is usually made retrospectively after marked improvement in systolic function is noted following control of the heart rate. Physicians should be aware that patients with seemingly idiopathic systolic dysfunction may have tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy and that controlling the heart rate may result in improvement or even complete restoration of systolic function.