Termination and suppression of idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia by diltiazem

Idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia is known to be responsive to verapamil in many cases. However, the role of other calcium-channel blockers, such as diltiazem, in treating this specific type of ventricular tachycardia is unknown. We report a case of idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia in a patient with a structurally normal heart, which was terminated and suppressed in the electrophysiology laboratory by a single dose of diltiazem intravenously, and was subsequently suppressed long-term with sustained-release diltiazem. Our finding suggests that idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia may be managed effectively with diltiazem in both the acute and chronic settings.