ABSTRACT
Whereas monomorphic ventricular tachycardia consists of a rapid succession of ventricular ectopic beats, each with the same configuration, polymorphic tachycardia is characterized by repeated progressive changes in the QRS complex so the complexes ‘twist’ about the baseline (Figure 13.1). It may result from acute myocardial infarction and from other causes of myocardial damage (Figure 13.2). In these situations the QT
Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia 115 Torsade de pointes tachycardia 117
QT interval 119 Management of torsade de pointes tachycardia 119 Hereditary long QT syndromes 120 Hereditary short QT syndrome 124
Ventricular fibrillation 124 ECG characteristics 124 Causes 124 Primary and secondary ventricular fibrillation 125 Treatment 125 Brugada syndrome 126
Bidirectional ventricular tachycardia 129 Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia 129
Figure 13.1 Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.
