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: 5/15/2008
- Alan Berger, MD, Assistant Professor, Divisions of Cardiology and Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. 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.
