Failure of corticosteroid therapy to prevent induction of ventricular tachycardia in sarcoidosis

Abstract

Programmed ventricular stimulation was performed in a patient with sarcoidosis who exhibited an episode of sustained ventricular tachycardia. Sustained rapid ventricular tachyarrhythmias requiring cardioversion for termination were induced by double right ventricular apical extrastimuli during control, and treatment with disopyramide, quinidine, and fluocortolone. In contrast, only four repetitive ventricular complexes were induced during combined therapy with quinidine, mexiletine and amiodarone. While receiving the latter regimen, the patient has been asymptomatic during 28 months of follow-up.