Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)

Non Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia - this lasts for less than 30 seconds and does not cause cardiovascular compromise in the form of drop in blood pressure.

Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia - this lasts for more than 30 seconds or causes hemodynamic compromise or needs immediate medical intervention.

Depending on the origin of VT in the lower chambers, it can be called RVOT (right ventricular outflow tract) VT, Fascicular VT, Apical VT, etc.

Ventricular Tachycardia is very rarely asymptomatic.

Symptoms can be of

• Dizziness or light headedness
• Unconsciousness
• Palpitations

Causes of Ventricular Tachycardia

Secondary to Myocardial infarction or heart attack. Secondary to depression of left ventricular function.

• ECG is the mainstay for diagnosis
• Sometimes holter monitoring may be needed if VT is episodic
• Occasionally, electrophysiology (EP) studies may be needed to find out the source of VT in the ventricles and to subsequently treat the same via ablation

Medications

Antiarrhythmic drugs like amiodarone, sotalol, lidocaine etc. may be needed for acute conversion to sinus rhythm in the form of chemical cardioversion. Other medications like beta blockers may be needed in addition to above drugs for prolonged treatment.

Electric Cardioversion

If sustained Ventricular Tachycardia, electric cardioversion in the form of DC (direct current) shock is needed to revert to baseline rhythm.

EP Study and Ablation

This procedure basically helps to map out the source from where the Ventricular Tachycardia originates in the ventricles and then we subsequently ablate the focus and prevent or reduce the recurrence of the same. This procedure is done commonly via the groins.

If left untreated, it can cause cardiovascular compromise, unconsciousness, convulsions and eventually death. VT can degenerate into Ventricular fibrillation i.e. a chaotic rhythm which stops the flow of blood from the heart as the heart is not able to pump at all.