ventricular tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia is a potentially life-threatening heart rhythm disturbance originating in the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart. It is a major cause of sudden cardiac death, often occurring even without a preceding heart attack.1

The exact mechanisms are not fully understood but may involve spontaneous impulse generation within the ventricle or a phenomenon called reentry, where an electrical impulse travels in a circuit within the ventricle. This can lead to inefficient heart contractions and compromised circulation. While ventricular tachycardia itself can cause shock, its primary danger lies in its potential to degenerate into ventricular fibrillation, an unsupportable rhythm that causes most sudden cardiac deaths. Prompt therapeutic intervention is crucial when ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation is suspected. Treatment may involve addressing underlying coronary artery disease, antiarrhythmic drugs, or internal defibrillation devices.12