Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) and Its Treatment

Introduction

Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) is a fast heart rhythm that originates from the ventricles of the heart. It is a potentially life-threatening condition, as it can lead to cardiac arrest if not managed properly.

Types of VT:

• Sustained VT : Lasts more than 30 seconds and requires medical intervention.
• Non-sustained VT : Lasts less than 30 seconds and may stop on its own.
• Monomorphic VT : All heartbeats have the same shape on ECG.
• Polymorphic VT : Varying QRS complex shapes, indicative of more severe electrical instability.

Symptoms of VT

• Palpitations (fast or irregular heartbeat)
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Loss of consciousness (in severe cases)

Diagnosis

VT is usually diagnosed using: - Electrocardiogram (ECG) : Detects abnormal rhythms. - Holter Monitor : Monitors heart activity over 24–48 hours. - Echocardiography : Examines heart structure. - Electrophysiology Studies (EPS) : Helps determine the source of the arrhythmia.

Treatment of VT

The choice of treatment depends on the type of VT, its duration, stability, and underlying conditions.

1. Emergency Treatment (If Patient is Unstable)

• Electrical Cardioversion/Defibrillation : If the patient is in shock or unconscious, immediate synchronized cardioversion is required.
• Intravenous (IV) Antiarrhythmic Drugs :
  • Amiodarone
  • Lidocaine
  • Procainamide

2. Long-term Treatment

• Medications : Beta-blockers, Amiodarone, or other antiarrhythmic drugs.
• Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) : For patients at high risk of life-threatening arrhythmias.
• Catheter Ablation : A procedure that destroys the problematic heart tissue causing VT.
• Lifestyle Modifications : Avoid stimulants (caffeine, alcohol), manage stress, and treat underlying heart disease.

Conclusion

VT is a serious condition that requires immediate evaluation and management. If you or someone you know experiences symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, or fainting, seek urgent medical attention. Regular monitoring and treatment can prevent serious complications.

Source recommendations

1. American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines for the Management of Ventricular Arrhythmias

1. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000549
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29097320/
3. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001193
4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405500X22010945
5. https://cpr.heart.org/en/resuscitation-science/cpr-and-ecc-guidelines/algorithms

2. European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines for the Management of Supraventricular and Ventricular Arrhythmias

1. https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Supraventricular-Tachycardia
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36017572/
3. https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/41/5/655/5556821
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14557344/
5. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.cir.0000091380.04100.84