Patient selection criteria and results of surgery for refractory ischemic ventricular tachycardia.

The direct surgical techniques for the treatment of refractory ischemic ventricular tachycardia have now been available for 10 years. This report assimilates the first decade's experience with these direct procedures to clarify the present indications for ventricular tachycardia surgery, the preferred method for conducting the operative procedures, the clinical results that are to be expected, the subsequent prognosis, and the role of the automatic internal cardioverter-defibrillator in the contemporary management of refractory ischemic ventricular tachycardia.