Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is an abnormal, rapid rhythm originating in the lower heart chambers (ventricles). In some patients, this disorder occurs in the absence of structural heart disease and may cause palpitations or lightheadedness, but is an otherwise relatively benign disorder. In most cases, however, VT is due to prior heart muscle damage (coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy and other causes) and patients with VT in this setting have a moderate to high risk of dying suddenly from VT or a related abnormal rhythm, ventricular fibrillation.
Most people with VT related to prior heart muscle damage should have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator to protect them from dying as a consequence of recurrent episodes of VT; however, frequent episodes may result in repeated periods of lightheadedness and/or ICD shocks. In such cases, medications may help control VT recurrences, but catheter ablation is often needed. Using this treatment, doctors run catheters (electrode-bearing wire) into the heart through arteries and veins and try to determine what areas of the heart are causing the VT and use electrical energy delivered through the catheter to cauterize these areas.
While catheter ablation for treatment of VT has long been among the more challenging procedures in electrophysiology, the doctors at Krannert Institute were among the pioneers in ablation of VT in the early 1980s and have contributed substantially to the understanding of this disorder and developing techniques that improve success rates.
Currently, Krannert physicians are recognized as leading authorities in catheter ablation of VT, applying this technique in patients with and without prior heart muscle damage. Success rates vary somewhat among patient groups but the vast majority of patients can be substantially helped, and many (particularly those without structural heart disease) are often cured from their rhythm disturbance. Potential complications, which are rare, include valve damage, stroke, heart attack, and injury to blood vessels at the site of catheter entry into the groin area.
For more information, please contact us at (317) 962-0106.
