Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a rapid heartbeat that starts in the ventricles.

Wide-complex tachycardia; V tach; Tachycardia - ventricular

Ventricular tachycardia is a pulse rate of more than 100 beats per minute, with at least three irregular heartbeats in a row.

The condition can develop as an early or late complication of a heart attack. It may also occur in patients with:

• Cardiomyopathy
• Heart failure
• Heart surgery
• Myocarditis
• Valvular heart disease

Ventricular tachycardia can occur without heart disease.

Scar tissue may form in the muscle of the ventricles days, months, or years after a heart attack. This can lead to ventricular tachycardia.

Ventricular tachycardia can also be caused by:

• Anti-arrhythmic medications
• Changes in blood chemistry (such as a low potassium level)
• Changes in pH (acid-base)
• Lack of enough oxygen

"Torsade de pointes" is a form of ventricular tachycardia that is often due to congenital heart disease or the use of certain medications.

Review Date: 05/06/2010
Reviewed By: Issam Mikati, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)