Ventricular Tachycardia

• A rapid, regular heart beat caused by continuous ventricular premature complexes (VPCs).

• Serious condition which has the capability of causing ventricular fibrillation and ultimately death

Causes

Significant myocardial damage to the heart or disease in other systems, Drug reactions, Hypoxia, Anaemia, Electrolyte and acid-base disturbances, etc.

ECG Appearance: Wide and irregular QRS complexes, P waves without QRS complexes following

Treatment

Treat underlying conditions

Small Animals

Dog: lidocaine (1st line of treatment), quinidine or procainamide (2nd line of treatment)

Cat: propranolol (1st line of treatment), small dose of lidocaine (2nd line of treatment)

Large Animals

• Digitalis

• Quinidine Sulfate

• Magnesium Sulfate supplementation (used in horses)