[Transesophageal rapid stimulation of the left atrium in atrial tachycardias (author's transl)].

A new method to interrupt atrial tachycardias is reported. With an esophageal double-electrode the left atrium is stimulated with an external pacemaker at rates of 400 per minute and with 10 to 20 mAmp; The rhythm-disturbances treated in this way were: atrial tachycardias with constant or inconstant blocks and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias. 7 of 9 cases reported showed positive results, i.e. electrically induced atrial fibrillation and sinusrhythm immediately or within the first hour after stopping the pacer (6) or atrial fibrillation after disconnection from the pacer at a lower heart-rate than before (1). In 2 cases the technique was applied without success. The transoesophageal rapid left atrial stimulation (oeRLAS) is painless, can be applied without sterile measures and even without X-ray-control just by observing the oesophageal Ecg. Digitalisation is unimportant. The technique described may prove useful in cases of atrial tachycardias esp; in intensive care units.