Ventricular tachycardia may turn into ventricular fibrillation and can result in cardiac arrest. Short periods may occur without symptoms or present with lightheadedness, palpitations, or chest pain. While a few seconds may not result in problems, longer periods are dangerous. An implantable cardiac defibrillator or medications such as calcium channel blockers or amiodarone may be used to prevent recurrence. In those with cardiac arrest due to ventricular tachycardia, survival is about 45%. While waiting for a defibrillator, a precordial thump may be attempted (However reserved to those who have the prior experience of doing so) in those on a heart monitor who are seen going into an unstable ventricular tachycardia. Biphasic defibrillation may be better than monophasic. In those in cardiac arrest due to ventricular tachycardia, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation is recommended. Otherwise, immediate cardioversion is recommended, preferably with a biphasic DC shock of 200 joules. In those who have normal blood pressure and strong pulse, the antiarrhythmic medication procainamide may be used. The term ventricular arrhythmia refers to the group of abnormal cardiac rhythms originating from the ventricle, which includes ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and torsades de pointes. It is classified as non-sustained versus sustained based on whether it lasts less than or more than 30 seconds. Diagnosis is by an electrocardiogram (ECG) showing a rate of greater than 120 beats per minute and at least three wide QRS complexes in a row. Ventricular tachycardia can occur due to coronary heart disease, aortic stenosis, cardiomyopathy, electrolyte problems, or a heart attack. It is found initially in about 7% of people in cardiac arrest. This conversion of the VT into VF is called the degeneration of the VT. Ventricular tachycardia may result in ventricular fibrillation (VF) and turn into cardiac arrest. Short periods may occur without symptoms, or present with lightheadedness, palpitations, or chest pain. Although a few seconds may not result in problems, longer periods are dangerous and multiple episodes over a short period of time are referred to as an electrical storm.
Ventricular tachycardia ( V-tach or VT) is a fast heart rate arising from the lower chambers of the heart. Procainamide, cardioversion, cardiopulmonary resuscitation Implantable cardiac defibrillator, calcium channel blockers, amiodarone Supraventricular tachycardia with aberrancy, ventricular pacing, ECG artifact Lightheadedness, palpitations, chest pain Ĭardiac arrest, ventricular fibrillation Ĭoronary heart disease, aortic stenosis, cardiomyopathy, electrolyte problems, heart attack of aortoiliac arteries History of atrial fibrillation History of atrial fibrillation with no current medications History of atrial fibrillation, no current medication History of atrial flutter History of blockage of a brain artery History of blockage of central retinal artery of the eye History of blockage of the central retinal vein of the eye History of bradycardia History of bradycardia (slow heart rate) History of cardiac arrhythmia History of cardiac arrhythmia radiofrequency ablation History of cardiac arrhythmia radiofrequency ablation, left atrial complex History.Medical condition Ventricular tachycardiaĪ run of ventricular tachycardia as seen on a rhythm strip
cardiac radiofrequency catheter ablation Has had endocarditis History of aneurysm of iliac artery. Of the circulatory system History of drug induced qt prolongation w torsade History of drug induced qt prolongation with torsades (heart arrhythmia) History of drug induced qt prolongation with torsades.