Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy

Systolic dysfunction associated with chronic tachyarrhythmias, known as tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy, is a reversible form of heart failure characterized by left ventricular dilatation that is usually reversible once the tachyarrhythmia is controlled. Its development is related to both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. The diagnosis is usually made following observation of a marked improvement in systolic function after normalization of heart rate. Clinicians should be aware that patients with unexplained systolic dysfunction may have tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy, and that controlling the arrhythmia may result in improvement and even complete normalization of systolic function.