Ventricular Tachycardia - Symptoms and Treatment Options, Including Ablation

Ventricular tachycardias (VTs) are rapid abnormal heart rhythms that originate from within the ventricles. VTs affect people differently, depending mainly on whether or not there are other related heart problems. There are many different symptoms and treatment options; all of which you should consult with your specialist on.

VTs in people with prior heart attacks or depressed heart function can result in the heart becoming unable to pump adequate blood through the body; this can lead to fainting and to life-threatening decompensation of the heart rhythm called cardiac arrest. Because medications cannot ensure complete suppression of these events, surgical placement of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is usually recommended. These devices continuously monitor the heart rhythm and immediately treat VT by either rapid pacing or internal shock. Once protected by the ICD, VT can be treated with antiarrhythmic medications and/or catheter ablation as needed.

VTs in people without any other heart condition are typically not life-threatening. They still can result in dizziness and fainting, but usually the rapid heart rate is well tolerated because the heart itself is healthy. VTs in normal hearts can be effectively managed with antiarrhythmic medications that suppress most of the events. Alternatively, catheter ablation can eliminate VTs by permanently modifying precise portions of the heart tissue that are necessary for the VTs. Find out more about VT ablation by watching the video at right.

Identifying the Best Treatment Options and Ventricular Tachycardia Specialist for You

Our commitment at CPMC is to help each patient identify the best doctor for their diagnosis and course of treatment. To find the best specialist for Ventricular Tachycardia , we want to empower our patients to participate in their health care journey. This means encouraging a frank discussion with the doctor about Ventricular Tachycardia, to identify all appropriate treatment options as well as to discuss symptoms, issues, outcomes, etc.,when relevant for Ventricular Tachycardia. The first step of your journey is research - using online tools such as CPMC's to investigate and understand Ventricular Tachycardia. The second step is to schedule an initial consultation with a physician or specialist. In some cases, you'll need to go through your primary care physician if you do not have a referral. If you already have a referral,you can schedule an appointment directly with the (keyword) specialist. The third step is for the specialist inVentricular Tachycardia to meet with you and review your history. As part of the diagnosis, you may need testing, so the doctor (surgeon or specialist) can discuss your treatment options and the both of you can determine your best course of action. We have patients at CPMC coming from throughout the San Francisco BayArea, Northern California, and many from throughout the United States with respect to Ventricular Tachycardia. Whether you are from San Francisco, Marin, the San Francisco Bay Area generally or any other location, our physicians will provide the hands-on care you deserve.
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California Pacific's Heart and Vascular Center

California Pacific's Heart and Vascular Center is supported by one of the best heart hospital/center networks in the USA, offering quality, comprehensive patient-centered cardiovascular care by a team of top heart surgeons and physicians with leading-edge technology. Serving the entire San Francisco Bay Area, including San Francisco and Marin County, as well as the entire Northern California region, our team has many of the best cardiovascular surgeons and physicians in California and the United States.
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