Ventricular Tachycardia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Ventricular Tachycardia or V-tach is essentially a heart rhythm problem (arrhythmia), a condition where the heart beats abnormally faster than usual. A normal human heart beats for 60-100 beats per minute. These heartbeats are controlled by electrical signals in the heart. Irregular electrical signals in the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart) lead to ventricular tachycardia, more commonly known as V-Tach or VT.

Ventricular tachycardia may occur for brief episodes & end without causing any harm. However, if Ventricular Tachycardia lasts for longer (sustained ventricular tachycardia), it may be life-threatening.

Ventricular Tachycardia Treatments

Ventricular tachycardia can be treated through various approaches. Initially, immediate measures are taken to normalize the heartbeat. Subsequently, further investigations and treatments may be necessary to identify and address the underlying causes or any existing conditions contributing to the ventricular tachycardia.

Common treatments include the following:

1. Medications: To bring the heartbeat back to the normal range, doctors will give antiarrhythmic medications along with calcium channel blockers and beta blockers.
2. Cardioversion: This is a highly effective emergency treatment for sustained V-tach. During cardioversion, electric shock signals are sent to the heart through electrodes placed on the chest. These shocks directly reset the heart’s electrical signals, restoring a normal heartbeat.
3. Catheter Ablation: Catheter or Radiofrequency Ablation uses heat to destroy any unusual heart tissue that may be leading to Ventricular Tachycardia. This method is used when an extra signalling pathway is responsible for the fast heart rate. The doctors will guide a catheter through an artery commonly in the groyne to the heart. The tip of the catheter is filled with sensors or electrodes that use heat or even cold energy to block irregular electrical signals and restore normal heart rhythm.
4. Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD): If you regularly face Ventricular Tachycardia, doctors might implant a device called ICD near the collarbone. The device regularly monitors your heartbeat and, in the case of V-Tach or irregular heartbeat, sends precise electric shocks to the heart to restore a regular heartbeat.
5. Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) (Pacemaker): In this V-Tach treatment, doctors implant a pacemaker near the collarbone. The pacemaker sends electrical signals to both ventricles, ensuring they work in sync and improve the heart’s efficiency.
6. Maze Procedure: In this surgical procedure, the doctor makes precise incisions in the atria to create a maze-like pattern of scar tissue. This scar tissue blocks abnormal electrical signals that can cause various types of tachycardia.
7. Open Heart Surgery: Sometimes, there is an extra electrical pathway causing tachycardia or other heart conditions that are causing the tachycardia and can only be corrected with surgery. Open heart surgery is the last resort to treat the cause of ventricular tachycardia when other treatment options do not succeed.

Pre-Procedure Preparations

Doctors may conduct a series of tests to determine the cause of ventricular tachycardia and identify the most suitable treatment for each patient.Common tests include:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG):
  This is the most common test to determine the timing and strength of electrical signals through the heart. Doctors may also advise patients to wear a portable ECG or EKG device like a Holter monitor, Event monitor, or Implantable loop recorder.
• Heart (cardiac) Imaging:
  Imaging the heart also helps in looking at the structure of the heart and determining the cause of VT. These types of tests include Chest X-ray, Echocardiogram, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computerised Tomography (CT), and Coronary Angiogram.
• Cardiac MRI animation:
  Provides still or moving pictures of the way the blood flows through the heart to detect any form of irregularities.
• Stress Test:
  Our heart doctors monitor heart activity under physical stress.
• Electrophysiological (EP) test and cardiac mapping:
  This diagnostic test is useful for determining the exact location of the arrhythmia.
• Tilt Table Test:
  It helps in determining how tachycardia contributes to fainting.

Benefits of the Procedure:

Various diagnostic procedures help in determining the cause of VT. V-tach treatment has several benefits, including:

• Reduction in symptoms
• Improved quality of life
• Reduced implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks
• Improved quality of left ventricular function
• Reduced risk of Sudden Cardiac Death
• Increased chances of overall survival

Eligibility

Since sustained Ventricular Tachycardia is an emergency situation, VT treatment is provided to everyone in the situation. Patients who have asymptomatic and non-sustained tachycardia or those who do not have any related underlying cardiac comorbidities do not require additional therapy.

V-Tach is an emergency medical situation. If you have an irregular heartbeat over 100 beats per minute & at least 3-4 irregular heartbeats or arrhythmias, in a row, seek immediate medical attention. V-tach can also have additional symptoms like chest pain, light-headedness and unconsciousness.

Just consult the top medical experts at the Metro Hospitals and get the most precise treatment for your conditions. Our board-certified doctors and the infrastructure is fully equipped with the latest tools & equipment, along with technologically advanced machines, to provide the best possible care & treatment to our patients.