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Ventricular tachycardia - Overview

Alternative Names

Wide-complex tachycardia; V tach; Tachycardia - ventricular

Definition of Ventricular tachycardia:

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a rapid heartbeat that starts in the ventricles.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Ventricular tachycardia is a pulse rate of more than 100 beats per minute, with at least three irregular heartbeats in a row.

The condition can develop as an early or late complication of a heart attack. It may also occur in patients with:

Ventricular tachycardia can occur without heart disease.

Scar tissue may form in the muscle of the ventricles days, months, or years after a heart attack. This can lead to ventricular tachycardia.

Ventricular tachycardia can also be caused by:

Anti-arrhythmic medications
Changes in blood chemistry (such as a low potassium level)
Changes in pH (acid-base)
Lack of enough oxygen

"Torsade de pointes" is a form of ventricular tachycardia that is often due to congenital heart disease or the use of certain medications.

Reviewed last on: 5/6/2010
Issam Mikati, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Olgin JE, Zipes DP. Specific Arrhythmias: Diagnosis and Treatment. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP. Libby: Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 35.

Epstein AE, DiMarco JP, Ellenbogen KA, Estes NA 3rd, Freedman RA, Gettes LS, et al. ACC/AHA,HRS 2008 Guidelines for Device-Based Therapy of Cardiac Rhythm Abnormalities: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the ACC?AHA/NASPE 2002 Guideline Update for Implantation of Cardiac Pacemakers and Antiarrhythmia Devices): developed in collaboration with the American Association for Thoracic Surgery and Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Circulation. 117:e350-e408.

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