Ventricular Tachycardia

Welcome to our Ventricular Tachycardia reference page. This page provides a summary definition followed by introductions to our practice drills, quizzes, lessons and interactive guides.

Definition of Ventricular Tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a cardiac arrhythmia characterized by a pulse rate of more than 100 beats per minute, with at least three irregular heartbeats in a row. The electrical signals causing this rapid beating originate in the ventricles. This is a very serious arrhythmia as it may lead to life threatening conditions such as ventricular fibrillation, asystole and sudden death.

Types of Ventricular Tachycardia

  • Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia
  • Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
  • Torsades de pointe

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:
  • Chest discomfort (angina)
  • Fainting (syncope)
  • Light-headedness or dizziness
  • Palpitations
  • Shortness of breath

Ventricular Tachycardia EKG Strip

The following table summarizes the key features of an supraventricular tachycardia EKG rhythm strip.

Rhythm Regular
Rate Fast (100-250 bpm)
P Wave Absent
PR Interval Not measurable
QRS Wide (>0.10 sec), bizarre appearance
Notes  
ventricular tachycardia ekg strip

Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia EKG Strip

The following table summarizes the key features of an monomorphic ventricular tachycardia EKG rhythm strip.

Rhythm Regular
Rate Fast (100-250 bpm)
P Wave Absent
PR Interval Not measurable
QRS Wide (>0.10 sec), bizarre looking
Notes  
monomorphic ventricular tachycardia ekg strip


Ventricular Tachycardia Torsade de Pointes EKG Strip

The following table summarizes the key features of ventricular tachycardia torsade de pointes EKG rhythm strip.

Rhythm Irregular
Rate Fast (200-250 bpm)
P Wave Absent
PR Interval Not measurable
QRS Wide (>0.10 sec), bizarre looking
Notes  
Torsade de Pointes ventricular tachycardia ekg strip

EKG Training - Introduction

A good starting point for learning EKG interpretation is our EKG Basics training course. The course provides training on the key features of an EKG tracing. These features include observing P-wave forms, measurement of EKG intervals and segments, assessment of rhythm, calculating heart rate, and the evaluation of other relevant wave segments. The arrhythmia practice drills allow students to build skills interactively.

EKG Basics

EKG Practice Drills

The heart arrhythmia practice drills provide a test EKG tracing and users are asked to identify the type of arrhythmia. Many of these drills include tachycardia EKG tracings. Each answer is immediately evaluated and the correct classification of the EKG tracing is provided, along with a detailed explanation. A directory of arrhythmias is also provided.

Arrhythmia Practice Drills

ECG Quiz

The quiz is structured like a classroom exam. The quiz present twenty EKGs. Users answer each question and at the end of the quiz, a fully graded report is provided. This graded report provides scoring as well as the correct answer to each question. Top scores and mean scores are also provided. This quiz draws its questions from a library of over 300 EKGs, allowing users to take the quiz multiple times.

ECG Quiz

ECG Monitor Challenge (beta version)

Try the beta version of our ECG monitor challenge. This quiz uses a simulated patient monitor with moving waveform instead of a paper tracing. As with the quiz described above, twenty questions are presented, then a graded report is available.

ECG Monitor Challenge








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