Serotonin and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia: a possible therapeutic role for SSRIs?

Cardiovasc J Afr. 2010 Jul-Aug;21(4):225-8. doi: 10.5830/cvja-2010-023.

Abstract

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a rare malignant arrhythmia, usually diagnosed in the adolescent years. The diagnosis can typically be made by one or more of the following: a positive family history, exercise electrocardiography, ambulatory ECG monitoring and/or an intra-cardiac, electrophysiological examination. This is a case report of a patient with CPVT that was refractory to treatment with beta-blockade and an implanted automatic cardioverter defibrillator. However, after a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) was added to the therapeutic regimen, no further episodes of ventricular tachycardia occurred during the following two years.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Catecholamines / metabolism
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Paroxetine / therapeutic use*
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / diagnosis
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / drug therapy*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Catecholamines
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Paroxetine