How serious is polymorphic ventricular tachycardia?

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a rare condition. It causes an irregular heart rhythm that can be life threatening. It often shows up in childhood, but can show up later in life. The first sign is often fainting or near fainting during exercise or strong emotion.

What usually causes polymorphic ventricular tachycardia?

Polymorphic VT associated with a normal QT interval is most often caused by acute ischemia or infarction and may rapidly degenerate into VF. When polymorphic VT is associated with a long QT interval, the syndrome is called torsades de pointes (Figure 23-7).

What is another name for polymorphic ventricular tachycardia?

Polymorphic VT is defined as an unstable rhythm with a continuously varying QRS complex morphology in any recorded ECG lead. Polymorphic VT that occurs in the setting of QT prolongation is considered as a distinct arrhythmia, known as torsades de pointes.

How do you treat polymorphic ventricular tachycardia?

Unstable polymorphic VT is treated with immediate defibrillation. The defibrillator may have difficulty recognizing the varying QRS complexes; therefore, synchronization of shocks may not occur.

What is the survival rate for ventricular tachycardia?

Procedure mortality is approximately 3\%, with most deaths due to failure of the procedure to control frequent, life-threatening VT.

How do you know if you have CPVT?

Signs of CPVT can start as early as childhood. You may faint or feel like fainting more often than other people, especially when you exercise, get excited, or feel strong emotions. You may also feel your heart beat fast and hard on a regular basis (called palpitations). Sometimes, CPVT may lead to seizures.

What is a polymorphic arrhythmia?

Collapse Section. Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a condition characterized by an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). As the heart rate increases in response to physical activity or emotional stress, it can trigger an abnormally fast heartbeat called ventricular tachycardia.

What is polymorphic vs monomorphic?

Due to having more than one possible variation for this gene, it is termed ‘polymorphism’. However, if the jaguar has only one possible trait for that gene, it would be termed “monomorphic”. For example, if there was only one possible skin colour that a jaguar could have, it would be termed monomorphic.

What is monomorphic and polymorphic?

Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia demonstrates a stable QRS morphology from beat to beat while polymorphic ventricular tachycardia has changing or multiform QRS variance from beat to beat.[1] Torsades de pointes is a polymorphic ventricular tachycardia that occurs in the setting of a long QT interval and appears as …

Does Vt always require cardioversion?

Otherwise, immediate cardioversion is recommended. In those in cardiac arrest due to ventricular tachycardia, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation is recommended….

Can you live a long life with ventricular tachycardia?

Ventricular tachycardia may last for only a few seconds, or it can last for much longer. You may feel dizzy or short of breath, or have chest pain. Sometimes, ventricular tachycardia can cause your heart to stop (sudden cardiac arrest), which is a life-threatening medical emergency.