Late results of operation for ventricular tachycardia

We have analyzed results in 54 consecutive patients with recurrent ventricular tachycardia and coronary artery disease in whom we used an aggressive surgical approach involving map-directed ventricular tachycardia ablation, scar excision and left ventricular remodeling, and coronary artery bypass grafting, as well as staged mitral valve replacement when necessary. We have previously shown age greater than 65 years to be an independent predictor of mortality and have excluded such patients from this series. Average age was 56 ±7 years. All patients had a previous myocardial infarction; 24% of the infarctions ( 13 / 54 ) were posterior in location. Symptoms included syncope or presyncope in 83% of the patients ( 45 / 54 ), angina in 54% ( 29 / 54 ), and congestive heart failure in 52% ( 28 / 54 ). Extensive coronary artery disease was found in 78% ( 42 / 54 ), and 89% ( 48 / 54 ) had serious compromise of left ventricular function (ejection fraction