Am J Psychiatry 1986; 143:1518-1526
Copyright © 1986 by American Psychiatric Association
Psychiatric aspects of patients with malignant ventricular arrhythmias
GL Fricchione and SC Vlay
The major cause of cardiac mortality in the United States is sudden cardiac
death, most often the result of ventricular tachycardia- ventricular
fibrillation. Transient risk factors for sudden cardiac death include
psychiatric conditions mediated through the CNS. Major advances in the
evaluation and treatment of patients who have survived malignant
ventricular arrhythmias have been accompanied by challenging management and
therapy issues for the psychiatrist involved in the care of such patients.
The authors suggest ways to meet these challenges, especially in the care
of patients with concomitant anxiety, depression, delirium, or psychosis.
