Psychophysiological factors in ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death

Patients who had survived a ventricular tachyarrhythmia episode, and psychological assessments of desire for control, locus of control and behavior pattern were obtained. Psychophysiological variables were analysed with respect to the severity of arrhythmias induced by the electrophysiological procedure. Findings indicate that psychological factors such as desire for control may be associated with potentially lethal arrhythmias and implicated in sudden cardiac death. (Abstract amended)