How to Diagnose and Treat Ventricular Tachycardia

1. Introduction
Although ventricular arrhythmias are less common than atrial arrhythmias, they are more likely to be life threatening and associated with underlying cardiac disease or a multisystemic disorder.^1–3 Common etiologies include electrolyte abnormalities (hypomagnesemia and hypokalemia), drug administration, or primary myocardial disease. Ventricular tachycardia is characterized by a rapid cardiac rhythm that originates in the ventricle below the bundle of His in the conduction system, in the surrounding ventricular myocardium, or both. It can be characterized by an irregular or a regular rhythm. Diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia is straightforward with an electrocardiogram, but identification of the etiology often remains a challenge for veterinary practitioners. Several treatment options exist, and a discussion of the anti-arrhythmic therapies is included below. A refractory case of ventricular tachycardia that was ultimately successfully treated with amiodarone will be presented to illustrate the diagnosis and principles of therapy. [...]