Ventricular tachycardia or V tach for short

Ventricular tachycardia (VT), v tach for short, is an arrhythmia that originates in the pumping chambers, or the ventricles.


It is usually seen in patients who have damaged ventricular chambers, frequently in the aftermath of a heart attack or myocardial infarction. Scar tissue in the ventricles will alter many local electrical properties and set up conditions favorable to formation of a local electrical circuit. Under specific circumstances, the circuit can be activated leading to a rapid arrhythmia arising from a single spot within the pumping chambers. Because this is more rapid than the heart's natural electrical activity, it takes over the heart beat for the duration of the arrhythmia. Because it is so rapid, and is occurring in a damaged heart, and because the electrical sequence does not follow the normal pattern, the heart may not function properly or efficiently and low blood pressure may result.(1)



The condition may also occur in patients with:(2)
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Heart surgery
  • Myocarditis
  • Valvular heart disease
  • Anti-arrhythmic medications
  • Changes in blood chemistry (Such as low potassium level)
  • Changes in PH(acid-base)
  • Lack of enough oxygen

    Symptoms(2)

  • Chest discomfort
  • Fainting (syncope)
  • Light headedness or dizziness
    Sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)

    This condition can lead to a more severe cardiac arrhythmia called ventricular fibrillation which can be deadly if not treated immediately. It can be fatal within minutes or even seconds.(3)

    Treatment(4)
    VT when sustained but hemodynamically stable is initially treated with lidocaine, procainamide or bretylium. VT that is hemodynamically unstable should be treated the same as ventricular fibrillation (VF).



    1. Arrhythmia.org. “Ventricular tachycardia.” Available at http://www.arrhythmia.org/general/whatis/vent-tach.html. Accessed December 11, 2008

    2. University of Maryland Medical Center, “Ventricular tachycardia - overview.” Available at http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/000187.htm. Accessed December 11, 2008

    3. MedicineNet.com, “Definition of ventricular tachycardia.” Available at http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5982. Accessed December 11, 2008

    4. American Heart Association, “Ventricular tachycardia.“ Abailable at http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=64. Accessed December 11, 2008



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