PALPITATIONS AND PASSING OUT (ARRHYTHMIAS): TYPES OF VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA – VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA & VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION
March 12th, 2011 adminPALPITATIONS AND PASSING OUT (ARRHYTHMIAS): TYPES OF VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA – VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA & VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATIONWhen used as a specific diagnosis, this term refers to a rapid, regular heartbeat originating from a site in one of the ventricles. The rate can be anywhere from about 100 to 250 beats per minute.Many episodes of ventricular tachycardia (called VT or V tach) do not stop spontaneously, unlike paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. What is worse, there is a predisposition for the VT to deteriorate further into ventricular fibrillation. Thus, VT is usually a medical emergency, even if the symptoms it is causing are rather minimal. Most VT is associated with other serious heart disease, such as coronary artery blockage, cardiomyopathy, or congenital or valvular heart disease.Treatment is directed first to ending the bout of VT. If intravenously administered medications do not produce immediate results, a shock to the chest is usually required (see Defibrillation and Cardioversion, page 283). The next step is to prevent the VT from returning; options are medications, correction of an underlying problem such as myocardial ischemia, use of an internal cardioverter-defibrillator, or surgical or catheter techniques to eliminate the site in the ventricle that is causing the VT.Ventricular fibrillation. The absolutely worst heart rhythm you can have is ventricular fibrillation (VF). In this condition there is no effective heartbeat—only useless quivering of the ventricular muscle. As far as circulation of blood is concerned, the heart is stopped. Do not confuse VF with atrial fibrillation. VF is the rhythm that is almost always the cause of “cardiac arrest” or “sudden cardiac death.” Unless someone is nearby who can administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation when you go into VF, you will die. There are seldom second chances otherwise; this urgency underscores the importance of knowing CPR.VF seldom occurs in the absence of other substantial problems with the heart, although rarely it may.*189\252\8*