Ventricular Tachycardias: Characteristics and Management

Aksana Baldzizhar; Ekaterina Manuylova; Roman Marchenko; Yury Kryvalap; Mary G Carey

doi:10.1016/j.cnc.2016.04.004

Ventricular Tachycardias: Characteristics and Management

Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am. 2016 Sep;28(3):317-29. doi: 10.1016/j.cnc.2016.04.004. Epub 2016 Jun 22.

Authors

Aksana Baldzizhar¹, Ekaterina Manuylova², Roman Marchenko³, Yury Kryvalap⁴, Mary G Carey⁵

Affiliations

¹ School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 619-7, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. Electronic address: aksana_baldzizhar@urmc.rochester.edu.
² Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 693, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Medicine, Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box-693, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
³ Department of Interventional Electrophysiology, Federal Center of Cardiovascular Surgery, 6, Stasova Street, Penza 440071, Russia.
⁴ Department of Pathology, Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box-626, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
⁵ School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 619-7, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Nursing Practice, Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 619-7, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.

PMID: 27484660
DOI: 10.1016/j.cnc.2016.04.004

Abstract

Ventricular tachycardias include ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and torsades de pointes; although these rhythms may be benign and asymptomatic, others may be life threatening and lead to increased morbidity and mortality. To optimize patient outcomes, ventricular tachycardias need to be rapidly diagnosed and managed, and often the electrocardiogram (ECG) is the first and only manifestation of a cardiac defect. Understanding of the initial electrocardiographic pattern and subsequent changes can lead to early intervention and an improved outcome. This article describes mechanisms, ECG characteristics, and management of ventricular tachycardias.

Keywords: Arrhythmia; Electrocardiogram; Nursing; Torsades de pointes; Ventricular tachycardias.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Disease Management*
Electrocardiography / methods*
Humans
Torsades de Pointes / diagnosis*
Torsades de Pointes / physiopathology
Torsades de Pointes / therapy
Ventricular Fibrillation / diagnosis
Ventricular Fibrillation / physiopathology
Ventricular Fibrillation / therapy