[Sudden death in the young adult without demonstrable cardiopathy: the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics in 3 cases]

Rev Med Chil. 1990 Dec;118(12):1372-5.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

We report 3 young adult males who developed spontaneous ventricular fibrillation in the absence of demonstrable heart disease. Extensive clinical and electrophysiologic evaluation failed to disclose a cause for the arrhythmia. Antiarrhythmic drugs were empirically used in all patients but 2 of them eventually died. Thus, unexplained ventricular fibrillation without demonstrable heart disease carries a serious short-term prognosis. An implantable cardio-vector-defibrillator may be the therapy of choice in these cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cardiac Catheterization
  • Cardiac Pacing, Artificial
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac / etiology*
  • Electrocardiography
  • Electrocardiography, Ambulatory
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / complications*
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / diagnosis
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / physiopathology