# Ventricular Tachycardia ## Background [[Ventricular Tachycardia-5|source]] A healthy heart, at rest, beats around 60-100 times per minute - ventricular tachycardia typically causes the heart to beat at 100 or more beats a minute When the heart beats too fast, rest of body may not get enough blood, causes lack of oxygen Brief episodes may not cause symptoms ## Risk factors more likely if: [[What Is Ventricular Tachycardia|source]] - older - family history of heart rhythm problems - family history of long QT syndrome or Brugada syndrome - uneven levels of electrolytes in your blood - ## Types ##### Structural Heart Disease [[Ventricular Tachycardia-2#^fb8494|source]] ##### Idiopathic Ventricular Tachycardia [[Ventricular Tachycardia-2#^0836cb|source]] due to "irritable focus" - when cells outside the sinus node start generating an electrical impulse automatically on their own easier to address and not usually life threatening ##### Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT) [[Ventricular Tachycardia-2#^355534|source]] genetic common in individuals with family history of syncope (fainting) ## Signs/Symptoms - fainting [^1] - having repeated dizzy spells [^1] - feeling lightheaded [^1] - are extremely fatigued [^1] - ## If left Untreated [[Ventricular Tachycardia-4#^133896|source]] | [[Ventricular Tachycardia-5#^b33ff5|source]] can lead to ventricular fibrillation (fast and disorganized heartbeat) or [[sudden cardiac arrest]] (SCA) ## Treatments Note: During an episode, CPR may be required - [[Ventricular Tachycardia Information Mount Sinai - New York#^6e5da2|source]] Treatment might not be needed if: [[Ventricular Tachycardia-3#^f73968|source]] | [[What Is Ventricular Tachycardia#^ca1c5e|source]] - no underlying heart disease - no difficult symptoms - VT episodes don't last a long time (less than 30 seconds) ##### Cardioversion (electric shock) [[What Is Ventricular Tachycardia#^151cf3|source]] a common emergency treatment typically if fainting or low blood pressure ##### Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) [[What Is Ventricular Tachycardia#^9e1bd6|source]] implants a small pacemaker sends signals to both ventricles to make them work together the way they shoul ##### Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) [[Ventricular Tachycardia-2#^dcd66f|source]] | [[Ventricular Tachycardia-3#^a89b15|source]] | [[What Is Ventricular Tachycardia#^9e1bd6|source]] connects to heart with wires typically under the skin, just under the collarbone - newer ones can be implanted just below the left armpit - uses a wire that's tunneled over the sternum instead of inside the heart when an abnormal heartbeart occurs: - can overdrive pace the VT to stop it - can send an electric shock to restore normal heartbeat may work along with CRT ##### Ablation [[Ventricular Tachycardia Information Mount Sinai - New York#^1cee0c|source]] | [[Ventricular Tachycardia-2#^27ab0c|source]] | [[What Is Ventricular Tachycardia#^9e1bd6|source]] Terms: Radiofrequency/Catheter/Cardiac Ablation procedure to destroy the heart tissue that is causing the abnormal heartbeat, using heat less effective when there is structural heart disease can cure ventricular tachycardia ##### Medicines [[Ventricular Tachycardia-2#^56e0d4|source]] | [[Ventricular Tachycardia-3#^1709b4|source]] | [[Ventricular Tachycardia Information Mount Sinai - New York#^6e5da2|source]] | [[What Is Ventricular Tachycardia#^b7bf94|source]] Meds to slow your heart rate (like [[Beta Blockers]]) don't work as well as cardioversion and can have side effects | Generic Name | Brand Name | Class | Notes | | ---------------- | ------------------- | ----- | --------------------- | | [[Sotolol]] | | | | | [[Flecainide]] | Tambocor | | | | [[Propafenone]] | | | | | [[Amiodarone]] | Nexterone, Pacerone | | | | [[Lidocaine]] | | | provided thru a vein? | | [[Procainamide]] | | | provided thru a vein? | | [[Sotalol]] | | | provided thru a vein? | | [[Amiodarone]] | | | provided thru a vein? | | Generic Name | Brand Name | Class | Notes | | ---------------- | --------------------- | --------------------- | ----- | | [[Sotalol]] | Sotacor | [[Beta Blockers]] | | | [[Flecainide]] | Tambocor | [[Antiarrhythmic]] | | | [[Propafenone]] | Rythmol | [[Antiarrhythmic]] | | | [[Amiodarone]] | Nexterone, Pacerone | [[Antiarrhythmic]] | | | [[Lidocaine]] | Lidamantle, Xylocaine | [[Local Anesthetics]] | what?? | | [[Procainamide]] | Pronestyl | [[Antiarrhythmic]] | IV only | ## Supplements **[[Magnesium]]** helps keep your heart rhythm steady - [[Is Taking Supplements OK When You Have AFib#^6956ca|source]] in the hospital, through an IV may help control AFib - [[Is Taking Supplements OK When You Have AFib#^2abb74|source]] do NOT take if you take [[digoxin]] - magnesium may interfere with absorption of med - [[Is Taking Supplements OK When You Have AFib#^24b6cd|source]] **Coenzyme Q10** (CoQ10) levels go down as you get older, may be low in people with heart problems - [[Is Taking Supplements OK When You Have AFib#^067902|source]] may reduce the amount of "episodes" had - [[Is Taking Supplements OK When You Have AFib#^b450b1|source]] may help you feel better - [[Is Taking Supplements OK When You Have AFib#^b450b1|source]] may lower [[high blood pressure]] - [[Is Taking Supplements OK When You Have AFib#^b450b1|source]] do NOT take if taking [[warfarin]] - could make meds less effective - [[Is Taking Supplements OK When You Have AFib#^912bd8|source]] **[[Fish Oil]]** might affect AFib - (*idk?*) - [[Is Taking Supplements OK When You Have AFib#^ac0942|source]] **Fiber** (Psyllium) can help lower cholesterol levels, improving general health related to AFib - [[Is Taking Supplements OK When You Have AFib#^0bce99|source]] men should aim for 38 grams - [[Is Taking Supplements OK When You Have AFib#^1daca2|source]] **Phytosterols** helps lower "bad" cholesterol - high levels of LDL cholesterol make strokes more likely - [[Is Taking Supplements OK When You Have AFib#^0049b0|source]] ## Additional Info for Maintenance after Initial Treatments If caffeine or alcohol triggers VT episodes, don't take these - [[Ventricular Tachycardia-3#^2b35e4|source]] Be aware of uneven electrolyte levels - [[What Is Ventricular Tachycardia#^743c92|reason]] **** ## Resources [[Resource Index|All Resources]] ```dataview LIST without ID link(file.link,FullTitle) FROM [[]] WHERE !contains(fileClass, "Primary") and contains(file.folder,"Resources") Sort file.name ``` ### Highlights ```dataview LIST rows.item.text FROM [[]] FLATTEN file.lists as item WHERE !contains(fileClass, "Primary") and contains(file.folder,"Resources") AND lower(meta(item.section).subpath) = "highlights" GROUP BY link(file.link, FullTitle) as myFile SORT file.name ``` [^1]: [[Early Warning Signs--r]]