1. Since 1990 five studies, most of them retrospective, have described a positive effect of atrioventricular junctional ablation on left ventricular systolic myocardial function (table 4). In one study this was also confirmed by radionuclide angiography."3 In the retrospective study by Rodriguez et al four different ablation techniques were used.'5 The described relation between arrhythmia duration and left ventricular dysfunction was, however, not confirmed in our study
2. This study was supported by grants from the Karolinska
3. Holmes DR Jr. Tachycardia induced myocardial dysfunction: a reversible phenomenon?;McLaren, C.J.; Gersh, B.J.; Sugrue, D.D.; Hammill, S.C.; Seward, J.B.;Br HeartJ,1985
4. Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy: a reversible form of left ventricular dysfunction;Packer, D.L.; Bardy, G.H.; Worley, S.J.; Smith, M.S.; Cobb, F.R.; Coleman, E.;Am J Cardiol,1986
5. Tachycardia aggravated heart disease;Engels, T.R.; Bush, C.A.; Schaal, S.F.;Ann Intern Med,1974