Extra-gastric eff ects of Helicobacter pylori as triggers of paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia

Purpose of the study. This publication considers the development of ventricular tachycardia paroxysm in a patient with chronic gastritis associated with Helicobacter pylori, erosive duodenitis. Materials and Methods. A paroxysm of less than 30 s. duration with the frequency of ventricular contractions maximum 169 per min was registered during ECG Holter monitoring at night. The electrocardiogram at rest, cardiac ultrasound and spiral computed coronary angiography showed no pathology. A probable trigger of ventricular tachycardia in a young patient without organic lesions of the cardiovascular system could be viscerocardial reflexes caused by pathology of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Results. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori and administration of proton pump inhibitors resulted in the elimination of ventricular tachycardia. Conclusion. The case serves to confirm that even chronic gastritis can have a proarrhythmogenic effect and emphasises the need for a comprehensive examination of patients with gastroenterological problems.