Ventricular tachycardia Flashcards

1
Q

What is ventricular tachycardia?

A

A type of broad complex tachycardia characterised by a heart rate of more than 100bpm and a QRS width of more than 120ms.

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2
Q

Aetiology of ventricular tachycardia?

A

Patients usually have structural heart disease e.g. previous MI, cardiomyopathy

Other causes:
- Electrolyte abnormalities such as hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia.
- Drugs that cause QT prolongation e.g. clarithromycin, erythromycin.
- Inherited channelopathies e.g. brugada syndrome

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3
Q

Pathophysiology of monomorphic VT?

A

Can be caused by increased automaticity, or due to re-entry circuit within ventricle.

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4
Q

Pathophysiology of polymorphic VT?

A

Caused by abnormal ventricular repolarisation e.g. long QT syndrome, drug toxicity and electrolyte imbalances.

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5
Q

Symptoms of ventricular tachycardia?

A

Often results in pre-syncope (dizziness), syncope, hypotension and cardiac arrest.

May be remarkably well tolerated in some patients.

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6
Q

Signs of ventricular tachycardia?

A

Pulse rate typically between 120-220 bpm

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7
Q

ECG appearance for monomorphic VT?

A

Constant QRS morphology

Broad complex rhythm

Rapid rate

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8
Q

ECG appearance for polymorphic VT?

A

QRS complex varies in amplitude

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9
Q

ECG appearance for torsades de pointes?

A

Specific polymorphic VT associated with a long QT interval

QRS complexes appear to twist around isoelectric line

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