Ventricular tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia (V-tach or VT) is a type of regular, fast heart rate that arises from improper electrical activity in the ventricles of the heart. Although a few seconds may not result in problems, longer periods are dangerous; and multiple episodes over a short period of time is referred to as an Electrical Storm. Short periods may occur without symptoms, or present with lightheadedness, palpitations, or chest pain. Ventricular tachycardia may result in ventricular fibrillation and turn into cardiac arrest. It is found initially in about 7% of people in cardiac arrest.
Ventricular tachycardia can occur due to coronary heart disease, aortic stenosis, cardiomyopathy, electrolyte problems, or a heart attack. 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. It is classified as non-sustained versus sustained based on whether it lasts less than or more than 30 seconds. 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.
In those who have normal blood pressure and strong pulse, the antiarrhythmic medication procainamide may be used. Otherwise, immediate cardioversion is recommended. In those in cardiac arrest due to ventricular tachycardia, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation is recommended. Biphasic defibrillation may be better than monophasic. While waiting for a defibrillator, a precordial thump may be attempted in those on a heart monitor who are seen going into an unstable ventricular tachycardia. In those with cardiac arrest due to ventricular tachycardia, survival is about 45%. An implantable cardiac defibrillator or medications such as calcium channel blockers or amiodarone may be used to prevent recurrence.
Q209583
fast heart rate
Concept
Q72711
electrical activity
Concept
Q2002035
ventricles
Concept
Q1072
heart
Concept
Q57823162
lightheadedness
Concept
Q1123260
palpitations
Concept
Q693058
chest pain
Concept
Q848662
ventricular fibrillation
Concept
Q202837
cardiac arrest
Concept
Q844935
coronary heart disease
Concept
Q531019
aortic stenosis
Concept
Q847583
cardiomyopathy
Concept
Q1326943
electrolyte problems
Concept
Q12152
heart attack
Concept
Q79785
electrocardiogram
Concept
Q1969239
QRS complex
UNK
Q1625433
torsades de pointes
Concept
Q82642
blood pressure
Concept
Q191733
pulse
Concept
Q241549
antiarrhythmic
Concept
Q417597
procainamide
Concept
Q1729126
cardioversion
Concept
Q185325
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Concept
Q954202
defibrillation
Concept
Q2114792
precordial thump
Concept
Q925303
heart monitor
UNK
Q594446
implantable cardiac defibrillator
Concept
Q421700
calcium channel blockers
Concept
Q410061
amiodarone
Concept
Q56002
Ventricular tachycardia
Concept
Q56002
Ventricular tachycardia
Concept
Q56002
Ventricular tachycardia
Concept
+7^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#decimal
7
NUMBER
+30^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#decimal
30
NUMBER
+45^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#decimal
45
NUMBER
subclass of
medical condition treated
part of