Ventricular Tachycardia in Pediatrics

Definition: tachycardia of at least 3 successive ventricular beats.

Terminology

• Non-sustained: rhythm lasts <30 seconds and terminates spontaneously

• Sustained: lasts >30 seconds and usually requires therapeutic intervention

Ventricular Tachycardia

• Most commonly seen in kids with abnormal hearts.

• Many asymptomatic• Symptoms you can see: pallor, fatigue, and

chest palpitations.• In infants, VT often manifests as feeding

intolerance.

Ventricular Tachycardia

• Better prognosis in kids that have a healthy heart.

• Causative factors (outside of an underlying cardiac disease): drugs, caffeine, decongestants, and electrolyte imbalances.

ECG• Wide QRS complex (>120 msec)• Tachycardia (usually has a regular rhythm)• P-waves may or may not be recognizable,

depending on ventricular rate. • T-waves typically opposite in polarization to

the QRS• QRS complex may vary in appearance if

ectopic input is multifocal.