Ventricular tachycardia (patient information): Difference between revisions

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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Ventricular tachycardia|here]]'''
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Ventricular tachycardia|here]]'''


{{Ventricular tachycardia}}
{{Ventricular tachycardia (patient information)}}
{{CMG}}
{{CMG}}


==Overview==
==Overview==
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a rapid heartbeat that starts in the ventricles.
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a rapid heartbeat that starts in the [[ventricle]]s.  In some cases it may impair the ability of the heart to pump and the blood pressure may drop.  This is referred to as a cardiac arrest or a code in lay terms.


==Causes==
== What are the symptoms of Ventricular tachycardia? ==
Ventricular tachycardia is a pulse rate of more than 100 beats per minute, with at least three irregular heartbeats in a row.
 
If the heart rate during a ventricular tachycardia episode is very fast or lasts longer than a few seconds there may be symptoms such as:
 
* [[Chest discomfort]] ([[angina]])
* [[Fainting]] ([[syncope]])
* [[Light-headedness]] or [[dizziness]]
* [[Sensation of feeling the heart beat]] ([[palpitations]])
* [[Shortness of breath]]
 
Note: Symptoms may start and stop suddenly. In some cases, there are no symptoms.
 
==What causes Ventricular tachycardia?==
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:
The condition can develop as an early or late complication of a [[heart attack]]. It may also occur in patients with:
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* [[Heart failure]]
* [[Heart failure]]
* [[Heart surgery]]
* [[Heart surgery]]
* [[Low magnesium levels]]
* [[Low potassium levels]]
* [[Myocarditis]]
* [[Myocarditis]]
* [[Valvular heart disease]]
* [[Valvular heart disease]]
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Ventricular tachycardia can occur without heart disease.
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.
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:
Ventricular tachycardia can also be caused by:
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* [[Lack of enough oxygen]]
* [[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.
[[Torsade de pointes]] is a form of ventricular tachycardia that is often due to [[congenital heart disease]] or the use of certain medications such as [[clarithromycin]], [[erythromycin]] and [[claritin]].
 
== Symptoms ==
 
If the heart rate during a ventricular tachycardia episode is very fast or lasts longer than a few seconds. There may be symptoms such as:
 
* [[Chest discomfort]] ([[Angina]])
* [[Fainting]] ([[syncope]])
* [[Light-headedness]] or [[dizziness]]
* [[Sensation of feeling the heart beat]] ([[palpitations]])
* [[Shortness of breath]]
 
Note: Symptoms may start and stop suddenly. In some cases, there are no symptoms.


== Exams and Tests ==
==Diagnosis==
Signs include:
Signs include:


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[[Blood chemistries]] and other tests may be done.
[[Blood chemistries]] and other tests may be done.


== Treatment ==
==When to seek urgent medical care?==
 
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have a rapid, [[irregular pulse]], [[faint]], or have [[chest pain]]. All of these may be signs of [[ventricular tachycardia]].
 
==Treatment options==


Treatment depends on the symptoms, and the type of heart disorder. Some people may not need treatment.
Treatment depends on the symptoms, and the type of heart disorder. Some people may not need treatment.
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If ventricular tachycardia becomes an emergency situation, it may require:
If ventricular tachycardia becomes an emergency situation, it may require:


* [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000010.htm CPR]
* [[CPR]]
* [[Electrical defibrillation]] or [[cardioversion]] (electric shock)
* [[Electrical defibrillation]] or [[cardioversion]] (electric shock)
* [[Anti-arrhythmic medications]] (such as [[lidocaine]], [[procainamide]], [[sotalol]], or [[amiodarone]]) [[given through a vein]]
* [[Anti-arrhythmic medications]] (such as [[lidocaine]], [[procainamide]], [[sotalol]], or [[amiodarone]]) given through a vein.


Long-term treatment of ventricular tachycardia may require the use of oral [[anti-arrhythmic medications]] (such as [[procainamide]], [[amiodarone]], or [[sotalol]]). However, anti-arrhythmic medications may have severe side effects. Their use is decreasing in favor of other treatments.
Long-term treatment of ventricular tachycardia may require the use of oral [[anti-arrhythmic medications]] (such as [[procainamide]], [[amiodarone]], or [[sotalol]]). However, anti-arrhythmic medications may have severe side effects. Their use is decreasing in favor of other treatments.
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A preferred treatment for many chronic (long-term) ventricular tachycardias consists of implanting a device called [[implantable cardioverter defibrillator]] ([[ICD]]). The ICD is usually implanted in the chest, like a [[pacemaker]]. It is connected to the heart with wires.
A preferred treatment for many chronic (long-term) ventricular tachycardias consists of implanting a device called [[implantable cardioverter defibrillator]] ([[ICD]]). The ICD is usually implanted in the chest, like a [[pacemaker]]. It is connected to the heart with wires.


The doctor programs the ICD to sense when ventricular tachycardia is occurring, and to administer a shock to stop it. The ICD may also be programmed to send a rapid burst of paced beats to interrupt the ventricular tachycardia. You may need to take anti-arrhythmic drugs to prevent repeated firing of the ICD.
The doctor programs the [[ICD]] to sense when ventricular tachycardia is occurring, and to administer a shock to stop it. The ICD may also be programmed to send a rapid burst of paced beats to interrupt the ventricular tachycardia. You may need to take anti-arrhythmic drugs to prevent repeated firing of the ICD.


== Outlook (Prognosis) ==
====Medications to avoid====


The outcome depends on the heart condition and symptoms.
{{MedCondContrPI


== Possible Complications ==
|MedCond = ventricular tachycardia|Phenylephrine|Verapamil}}


Ventricular tachycardia may not cause symptoms in some people. However, it may be lethal in other people. It is a major cause of [[sudden cardiac death]].
== Prevention ==


== When to Contact a Medical Professional ==
In some cases, the disorder is not preventable. In other cases, it can be prevented by treating heart diseases and correcting blood chemistry such as [[low potassium levels]] or [[low magnesium levels]].


Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have a rapid, [[irregular pulse]], [[faint]], or have [[chest pain]]. All of these may be signs of [[ventricular tachycardia]].
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==


== Prevention ==
The outcome depends on the heart condition and symptoms.
== Possible complications ==


In some cases, the disorder is not preventable. In other cases, it can be prevented by treating heart diseases and correcting blood chemistries.
Ventricular tachycardia may not cause symptoms in some people. However, it may be lethal in other people. It is a major cause of [[sudden cardiac death]].
 
== Alternative Names ==
 
Wide-complex tachycardia; V tach; Tachycardia - ventricular


==References==
[[Category:Disease]]
{{Reflist|2}}
[[Category:Electrophysiology]]
[[Category:Cardiology]]
[[Category:Emergency medicine]]
[[Category:Intensive care medicine]]
[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Up-To-Date cardiology]]
[[Category:Up-To-Date]]

Latest revision as of 17:09, 16 December 2014

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Ventricular tachycardia

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Ventricular tachycardia On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Ventricular tachycardia

Videos on Ventricular tachycardia

FDA on Ventricular tachycardia

CDC on Ventricular tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia in the news

Blogs on Ventricular tachycardia

Directions to Hospitals Treating Ventricular tachycardia

Risk calculators and risk factors for Ventricular tachycardia

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a rapid heartbeat that starts in the ventricles. In some cases it may impair the ability of the heart to pump and the blood pressure may drop. This is referred to as a cardiac arrest or a code in lay terms.

What are the symptoms of Ventricular tachycardia?

If the heart rate during a ventricular tachycardia episode is very fast or lasts longer than a few seconds there may be symptoms such as:

Note: Symptoms may start and stop suddenly. In some cases, there are no symptoms.

What causes Ventricular tachycardia?

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:

Torsade de pointes is a form of ventricular tachycardia that is often due to congenital heart disease or the use of certain medications such as clarithromycin, erythromycin and claritin.

Diagnosis

Signs include:

Ventricular tachycardia may be seen on:

Blood chemistries and other tests may be done.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have a rapid, irregular pulse, faint, or have chest pain. All of these may be signs of ventricular tachycardia.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on the symptoms, and the type of heart disorder. Some people may not need treatment.

If ventricular tachycardia becomes an emergency situation, it may require:

Long-term treatment of ventricular tachycardia may require the use of oral anti-arrhythmic medications (such as procainamide, amiodarone, or sotalol). However, anti-arrhythmic medications may have severe side effects. Their use is decreasing in favor of other treatments.

Some ventricular tachycardias may be treated with an ablation procedure. Radiofrequency catheter ablation can cure certain tachycardias.

A preferred treatment for many chronic (long-term) ventricular tachycardias consists of implanting a device called implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The ICD is usually implanted in the chest, like a pacemaker. It is connected to the heart with wires.

The doctor programs the ICD to sense when ventricular tachycardia is occurring, and to administer a shock to stop it. The ICD may also be programmed to send a rapid burst of paced beats to interrupt the ventricular tachycardia. You may need to take anti-arrhythmic drugs to prevent repeated firing of the ICD.

Medications to avoid

Patients diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia should avoid using the following medications:

  • Phenylephrine
  • Verapamil
    If you have been diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia, consult your physician before starting or stopping any of these medications.


Prevention

In some cases, the disorder is not preventable. In other cases, it can be prevented by treating heart diseases and correcting blood chemistry such as low potassium levels or low magnesium levels.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

The outcome depends on the heart condition and symptoms.

Possible complications

Ventricular tachycardia may not cause symptoms in some people. However, it may be lethal in other people. It is a major cause of sudden cardiac death.