What is a common cause of ventricular tachycardia?

What is a common cause of ventricular tachycardia?

• A. Electrolyte imbalance
• B. Myocardial infarction
• C. Hypertension
• D. Respiratory distress

Answer: (B)

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is often seen in patients with underlying heart conditions, and one of the most prevalent associations is a myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack. When ischemia occurs due to a blockage in the coronary arteries, it can lead to damage in the myocardial tissue. This damaged tissue can create abnormal electrical pathways, which can result in the rapid and irregular heartbeat characteristic of VT. In the context of myocardial infarction, areas of the heart muscle may become scarred and lose their normal conduction properties. Scar tissue can disrupt the electrical signals of the heart, leading to re-entry circuits that are responsible for the development of ventricular tachycardia. This arrhythmia is particularly critical because it can decrease cardiac output significantly and may lead to more severe complications, such as ventricular fibrillation, which is life-threatening. While electrolyte imbalances, hypertension, and respiratory distress can also impact heart function, they are generally not as directly correlated with the development of ventricular tachycardia as myocardial infarction. Electrolyte imbalances can lead to arrhythmias, but in the case of VT specifically, the association with myocardial ischemia and infarction is much stronger.

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is often seen in patients with underlying heart conditions, and one of the most prevalent associations is a myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack. When ischemia occurs due to a blockage in the coronary arteries, it can lead to damage in the myocardial tissue. This damaged tissue can create abnormal electrical pathways, which can result in the rapid and irregular heartbeat characteristic of VT.

In the context of myocardial infarction, areas of the heart muscle may become scarred and lose their normal conduction properties. Scar tissue can disrupt the electrical signals of the heart, leading to re-entry circuits that are responsible for the development of ventricular tachycardia. This arrhythmia is particularly critical because it can decrease cardiac output significantly and may lead to more severe complications, such as ventricular fibrillation, which is life-threatening.

While electrolyte imbalances, hypertension, and respiratory distress can also impact heart function, they are generally not as directly correlated with the development of ventricular tachycardia as myocardial infarction. Electrolyte imbalances can lead to arrhythmias, but in the case of VT specifically, the association with myocardial ischemia and infarction is much stronger.