Non *sustained Ventricular tachycardia

NSVT can be recorded in a wide range of conditions from healthy to those with significant heart disease. Prognosis varies and management is aimed at treating the underlying heart disease rather than the arrhythmia itself unless serious symptoms occur.

About

• Seen 3-6% of the normal population with normal hearts so common
• Main factors are LV function and setting e.g. post-MI

Characteristics

• It is defined as 3 (sometimes 5) or more consecutive beats arising below the AVN with an RR interval of <600 ms (>100 beats/min) and lasting <30 s
• Lasts for five or more consecutive beats up to 30 seconds

Aetiology

• Ischaemic heart disease
• Cardiomyopathy
• Heart valve disease
• Long QT syndrome
• ARVC: usually Arise form RV and LBBB
• HCM: seen but no distinctive characteristics

Clinical

• Is it a setting of IHD or other heart diseases
• Is it symptomatic

Investigations

• U&E - hyperkalaemia.
• 12 lead ECG or holter or other devices to capture
• Echo as LV function is key
• Troponin if chest pain

Management

• Exclude ischaemic heart disease
• Key is to avoid unnecessary antiarrhythmic and overreaction
• Beta blockers may be suggested
• Where LV function (EF<30%) is poor Implantable cardioverter defibrillators have benefits