[Significance of retrograde excitation in treating arrhythmias by means of electrical stimulation of the heart].

The paper presents the results of electric heart stimulation in patients with sick sinus syndrome accompanied by atrial retrograde excitation. The retrograde excitation was found in 9 of 85 patients (it was observed in the spontaneous rhythm in 3 cases and in right ventricle stimulation in 6 cases). All the patients underwent right ventricle stimulation. In 6 observations it proved to be an effective measure to prevent (in 4 cases) and terminate (in 2 cases) supraventricular tachycardia paroxysms. In one case the retrograde excitation caused hemodynamic disorders that made one change the stimulation point (the electrode was implanted into the right atrium).