VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA

DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT     PRINT

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a rapid, abnormal rhythm that originates in the ventricles or lower heart chambers. When sustained or prolonged, ventricular tachycardia can cause serious symptoms or degenerate to fatal ventricular fibrillation.

CAUSES

In the vast majority of cases, ventricular tachycardia occurs in the setting of significant underlying heart disease including:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD) including myocardial infarctions (heart attacks),

• Cardiomyopathies including hypertrophic and dilated types,

• Myocarditis,

• Congenital heart disease

• Ventricular tachycardia can also occur in the presence of:

• Metabolic abnormalities such as hypokalemia or low potassium levels,

• Antiarrhythmic medications such as quinidine, that are used to treat other types of heart rhythms abnormalities

• Decongestants, herbal preparations and diet pills that contain stimulants.

SYMPTOMS

Short runs of ventricular tachycardia may not cause noticeable symptoms. Longer or sustained episodes of VT however may be experienced as:

• Palpitations or an uncomfortable awareness of the heart beating rapidly or irregularly,

• Dizziness or lightheadedness,

• Near-fainting (near syncope) or fainting (syncope),

• Shortness of breath or dyspnea,

• Chest pain, or angina.

Abraham Salacata, MD, FACC