Learn About Ventricular Tachycardia

What is the definition of Ventricular Tachycardia?

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a rapid heartbeat that starts in the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles).

What are the alternative names for Ventricular Tachycardia?

Wide-complex tachycardia; V tach; Tachycardia - ventricular

What are the causes of Ventricular Tachycardia?

VT is a pulse rate of more than 100 beats per minute, with at least 3 abnormal rapid heartbeats in a row.

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

  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Heart failure (also called congestive heart failure)
  • Heart surgery
  • Myocarditis
  • Valvular heart disease

VT can occur without other 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.

VT can also be caused by:

  • Anti-arrhythmic drugs (used to treat an abnormal heart rhythm)
  • Changes in blood chemistry (such as a low potassium level)
  • Changes in blood pH (acid-base)
  • Lack of enough oxygen

"Torsade de pointes" is a specific form of VT. It is often due to congenital heart disease or the use of certain medicines.

What are the symptoms of Ventricular Tachycardia?

You may have symptoms if the heart rate during a VT episode is very fast or lasts longer than a few seconds. Symptoms may include:

  • Chest discomfort (angina)
  • Fainting (syncope)
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)
  • Shortness of breath

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

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What are the current treatments for Ventricular Tachycardia?

Treatment depends on the symptoms, and the type of heart disorder.

If someone with VT is in distress, they may require:

  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
  • Cardioversion (electric shock)
  • Medicines (such as lidocaine, procainamide, sotalol, or amiodarone) given through a vein

After an episode of VT, steps are taken to prevent further episodes.

  • Medicines taken by mouth may be needed for long-term treatment. However, these medicines may have severe side effects. They are being used less often as other treatments are developed.
  • A procedure to destroy the heart tissue that is causing the abnormal heartbeat (called ablation) may be done.
  • An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may be recommended. It is an implanted device that detects any life-threatening, rapid heartbeat. This abnormal heartbeat is called an arrhythmia. If it occurs, the ICD quickly sends an electrical shock to the heart to change the rhythm back to normal. This is called defibrillation.
Who are the top Ventricular Tachycardia Local Doctors?
Interventional Cardiology | Cardiology
Interventional Cardiology | Cardiology

John Muir Physician Network

1450 Treat Blvd, Suite 220b, 
Walnut Creek, CA 
 7.8 mi
Offers Telehealth

John Krouse is an Interventional Cardiologist and a Cardiologist in Walnut Creek, California. Dr. Krouse and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ventricular Tachycardia. His top areas of expertise are Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia, Ventricular Tachycardia, Aortic Regurgitation, Pediatric Myocarditis, and Pacemaker Implantation.

Sutter Bay Medical Foundation

915 San Ramon Valley Blvd, 
Danville, CA 
 1.0 mi
Offers Telehealth

Vivian Tsai is a Cardiologist in Danville, California. Dr. Tsai and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ventricular Tachycardia. Her top areas of expertise are Atrial Fibrillation, Adenosine Deaminase 2 Deficiency, Coronary Artery Fistula, and Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF).

 
 
 
 
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Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine

John Muir Physician Network

1505 Saint Alphonsus Way, 
Alamo, CA 
 2.9 mi
Offers Telehealth

Manisha Malhotra is an Internal Medicine provider in Alamo, California. Dr. Malhotra and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ventricular Tachycardia. Her top areas of expertise are Vertigo, Chronic Cough, Fainting, and Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Ventricular Tachycardia?

The outcome depends on the heart condition and symptoms.

What are the possible complications of Ventricular Tachycardia?

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

When should I contact a medical professional for Ventricular Tachycardia?

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

How do I prevent Ventricular Tachycardia?

In some cases, the disorder cannot be prevented. In other cases, it can be prevented by treating heart problems and avoiding certain medicines.

What are the latest Ventricular Tachycardia Clinical Trials?
Assessment of Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Quality of Life and Related Events Assessment Scale for Pacemaker Patients

Summary: Cardiac implantable electronic devices are widely utilized to lower the rates of morbidity and mortality from ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, as well as the incidence of sudden cardiac death. Although implantation of these devices increases survival rates, patients may experience acute and chronic complications. These complications include device dislocation and fracture, ina...

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A Phase 2A, Investigator & Subject Blinded, Sponsor Unblinded, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Study to Evaluate Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics of CRD-4730 in Participants with Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

Summary: This is a Phase 2, multicenter, double-blind, sponsor unblinded, placebo-controlled, single-dose clinical study of CRD-4730 to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of CRD-4730 when administered as single oral doses to participants with Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT). The study will have 2 cohorts in which participants wit...

What are the Latest Advances for Ventricular Tachycardia?
Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: May 27, 2024
Published By: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Al-Khatib SM, Stevenson WG, Ackerman MJ, et al. 2017 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for management of patients with ventricular arrhythmias and the prevention of sudden cardiac death: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on clinical practice guidelines and the Heart Rhythm Society [published correction appears in J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018;72(14):1760]. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018;72(14):1677-1749. PMID: 29097294 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29097294/.

Epstein EF, DiMarco JP, Ellenbogen KA, Estes NA 3rd, et al. 2012 ACCF/AHA/HRS focused update incorporated into the ACCF/AHA/HRS 2008 guidelines for device-based therapy of cardiac rhythm abnormalities: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the Heart Rhythm Society. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013;661(3):e6-75. PMID: 23265327 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23265327/.

Garan H. Ventricular arrhythmias. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 53.

Stevenson WG, Keppenfeld K. Ventricular Arrhythmias. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 67.