Ventricular Tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a severe arrhythmia that often impairs heart function considerably and can be a precursor of ventricular fibrillation. Herein, the impact of VT on hemodynamics and prognosis is distinguished. The hemodynamic response to VT depends on the preexisting left ventricular (LV) (or right ventricular) ejection fraction (EF) and the rate and duration of tachycardia. The worse the ventricular function and the faster the rate, the worse the ventricular filling and output are. A long-duration VT (minutes to hours or even days) generally leads to a further hemodynamic deterioration. The prognosis of VT is determined by the kind and severity of the underlying cardiac disease. The pathophysiologic mechanisms are enhanced automaticity, micro-reentry, and triggered activity.