![]() Less common causes are arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/ARVD), Brugada syndrome, long QT syndrome, sarcoidosis, Prinzmetal’s angina (coronary vasospasm), electrolyte disorders, congenital heart disease and catecholamine induced ventricular tachycardia. The most common causes are coronary heart disease (acute coronary syndromes or ischemic heart disease), heart failure, cardiomyopathy (dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy), valvular disease. Patients with ventricular tachycardia almost invariably have significant underlying heart disease. All health care providers, regardless of profession, must be able to diagnose ventricular tachycardia. ![]() Left untreated, ventricular fibrillation leads to asystole and cardiac arrest. This results in electrical instability which explains why ventricular tachycardia may progress to ventricular fibrillation. Ventricular tachycardia cause immense strain on the ventricular myocardium, simultaneously as the cause of the arrhythmia already affects cellular function. The ventricular rate is typically very high (100–250 beats per minute) and cardiac output is affected (i.e reduced) in virtually all cases. Regardless of etiology and ECG, ventricular tachycardia is always a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia which requires immediate attention. A wide range of conditions may cause ventricular tachycardia and the ECG is as nuanced as are those conditions. This chapter deals with ventricular tachycardia from a clinical perspective, with emphasis on ECG diagnosis, definitions, management and clinical characteristics. Ventricular tachycardia is a highly nuanced arrhythmia which originates in the ventricles. Ventricular tachycardia (VT): types, causes, ECG features and management
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