VT (Ventricular Tachycardia)

Exam Cram

• Ventricular tachycardia is a life threatening broad QRS complex tachyarrhthmia

• Presentations: (pre) syncope- cardiac: nil proceeding symptoms (except chest pain or palpitations), exercise induced

• ECG: Broad regular tachycardia

• Management: K+ > 4.0, Mg > 1.0, DC shock if unstable other amiodarone

Outline

Background

• VT is a life threatening arrhythmia with a significant risk of developing Torsades de Pointes (TdP) , Ventricular Fibrillation and Asystole

Assessment 

History

• Cardiac syncope

  • Proceeding: nil or chest pains/ palpitations

  • Exercise induced

Examination

• Normal

• Potentially dehydrated

Investigations

• K+, Mg 2+

• ECG: broad QRS tachycardia

Diagnosis

Diagnostic criteria: ECG

Differentials: Torsades de Pointes (TdP) , Ventricular Fibrillation

Classification: stable vs unstable

• Unstable features: chest pain (ischaemia), BP < 90/60, cardiac shock, ongoing syncope

Management

Acute

1. DC Cardioversion if unstable

2. Replace electrolytes: Mg > 1.0, K+ > 4.0

3. Amiodarone

Resources and References

Page written in 2024.