A serious cardiac arrhythmia in which each heartbeat is initiated from electrical activity in the ventricles rather than from the sinoatrial node in the right atrium. It is caused by an abnormally fast heart-rate due to serious heart disease, such as myocardial infarction or cardiomyopathy. It may last for a few seconds or for several days. Diagnosis is confirmed by ECG. Emergency treatment is with defibrillation and an antiarrhythmic drug.
Ventricular tachycardia |
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