Ventricular Tachycardia Treatment in Delhi, India

The common symptoms of ventricular tachycardia include: 

• Chest pain 
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Vomit
• Fatigue or weakness
• Heart palpitation

Symptoms may go away on their own within 30 seconds. However, if it lasts more than 30 seconds, it can drop blood pressure, which may be fatal.

Ventricular tachycardia occurs when there is an abnormal heart rhythm in the ventricles. A normal heartbeat is about 60 to 100 times in a minute. However, in ventricular tachycardia, the heartbeat usually goes up to 100 or more in a minute. That said, the exact cause of the condition is known at the moment, though some heart conditions may cause it, including:

• Enlarged Heart: People with enlarged hearts have weak heart muscles, resulting in ventricular tachycardia.
• Previous heart attack: If a person had a prior heart attack or injection, they might suffer from ventricular tachycardia.
• Ischemic heart disease: Researchers have found that narrowed arteries limit the blood flow to the heart, which supplies oxygen-rich blood to the heart. This may also cause ventricular tachycardia.
• Myocarditis: This is a heart condition in which the heart muscles are inflamed, majorly due to an infection that may result in ventricular tachycardia.
• Long QT Syndrome: This is a severe heart rhythm condition that can trigger rapid heartbeats.
• Congenital heart disease: Congenital heart disease can also be one of the reasons for people suffering from ventricular tachycardia.
• Electrical abnormalities: Researchers have found that problems with the heart's electrical system can also result in ventricular tachycardia.

The doctor will perform a couple of tests to diagnose ventricular tachycardia. The doctor may first perform a physical examination by listening to the rhythm of the heart with a stethoscope and checking the patient blood pressure. Apart from this, the doctor may also use different tests to confirm the presence of ventricular tachycardia, including:

Chest X-ray: It allows the doctor to check the size and shape of the heart and blood vessels.

Electrocardiogram (ECG): It is performed to check the speed and rhythm of the heart using electric current.

Echocardiogram: It is performed to check for the damaged part of the heart. The specialist uses sound waves to capture an image of the heart, and the Ejection fraction (EF) is recorded.

Cardiac MRI: The test uses radio waves and strong magnets to produce a cross-sectional image of the heart.

Electrophysiology (EP) study: The test is done to check the precise location of abnormal heartbeats.

Ventricular tachycardia that lasts for more than 30 seconds often requires emergency medical treatment as it may lead to sudden cardiac arrest. The primary goal of the treatment for ventricular tachycardia is to slow down the heart rate and prevent it from happening in the future. Depending on the condition, the doctor may suggest the following treatments for ventricular tachycardia:

Cardioversion

This is an emergency care treatment in which the doctor gives an electric shock to control the rapid heartbeat. The electrical shock affects the heart's electrical signals and restores its normal function.

Medications

Doctors will provide anti-arrhythmic drugs or IVs to slow the rapid heart rate. The doctor may also prescribe beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers to treat ventricular tachycardia.

Coronary angioplasty

In this, the doctor inserts a stunt into the blocked artery to maintain blood flow. During the coronary angioplasty procedure, the doctor inserts a catheter with a tiny balloon at the tip into the artery and guides it to the blocked or narrowed blood vessel. The doctor then inflates the balloon and adds a mesh-like tube into the artery, known as a stunt.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)

It is a portable device that monitors the heart rhythm. The surgeon places the ICD near the left collarbone and connects the wires through the veins to the heart. The device monitors the electrical signals. If it detects a rhythm change, it sends low or high-energy shocks to reset the heart to a normal rhythm.

Cardiac Ablation

In this procedure, the surgeon inserts catheters through an artery and guides the heart. The catheters come with electrodes at the tip, which deliver heat to make tiny scars in the heart. The procedure helps block abnormal electrical signals and restore the usual heart rhythm.

Some of the factors also increase the risk of ventricular tachycardia, including:

• A previous heart attack
• Ventricular scar
• LV dysfunction (Reduced or low EF)
• Low blood pressure
• High heart rate
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Inactive lifestyle
• Alcohol consumption
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Family history of heart disease

There are some ways through which can prevent ventricular tachycardia, including:        

• Quit Smoking
• Eat a healthy diet
• Weight loss
• Limit intake of caffeine
• Control blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Reduce stress level
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Increase physical activity 
• Monitor heart conditions

Ventricular tachycardia may cause severe complications, especially the longer it lasts. These may include: 

• One of the major complications of the condition is that one can have three or more episodes of ventricular tachycardia within 24 hours, which can be fatal. 
• If the ventricular tachycardia is not treated in time, it may result in heart failure. 
• Sudden death caused by cardiac arrest.

Reviewed by Dr. Yogendra Singh, Associate Director – Interventional Cardiology, Cardiology, Cardiac Sciences on 03-Nov-2022.

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