Ventricular tachycardia overview

Ventricular tachycardia Microchapters
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2], Avirup Guha, M.B.B.S.[3]

Overview

Ventricular tachycardia (V-tach or VT) is a tachycardia, or fast heart rhythm that originates in one of the ventricles of the heart. This is a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia because it may lead to ventricular fibrillation and sudden death.

Historical perspective landmarks

Year	Event
1909	First electrocardiographic demonstration of ventricular tachycardia.

1921 1921 1922 1946 1950 1956 1957 1959 1960 1960 1962 1966 1971

Relationship of coronary artery disease and ventricular tachycardia described, Electrocardiographic criteria for ventricular tachycardia were defined. Quinidine used to treat ventricular tachycardia. Lidocaine synthesized. Prooainamide introduced into clinical practice. Alternating current used to terminate ventricular tachycardia. Congenital long QT-syndrome described. Aneurysmectomy performed to treat ventricular tachycardia. Use of cardiac pacing to prevent ventricular tachycardia in patients with complete heart block. Elective alternating current termination of ventricular tachycardia. Synchronized cardioversion" of ventricular tachycardia. Torsades de pointes described. Ventricular tachycardia initiated and terminated by critically-timed premature ventricular beats.

Treatment

Therapy may be directed at either terminating an episode of the arrhythmia or for suppressing a future episode from occurring. The treatment is tailored to the specific patient, with regard to how well the individual tolerates episodes of ventricular tachycardia, how frequently episodes occur, their comorbidities, and their wishes. The main treatments are categorised on the home page.