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Ventricular Tachycardia, Pediatric

Walter L. Li, MD Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a series of three or more repetitive beats originating from the ventricle at a rate faster than the upper limit of normal for age. The QRS complex is ...

DIAGNOSIS

Based on electrocardiogram (ECG), rhythm strip, Holter, or event monitor 

HISTORY

  • Varies widely, ranging from asymptomatic to sudden cardiac arrest/death

  • Other symptoms include palpitations, pr...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • If the patient is hemodynamically compromised, prompt synchronized direct-current (pediatric, 1 to 2 joules/kg; adult, 100 to 400 joules/kg) cardioversion is indicated.

  • Asynch...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Monitoring in an intensive care unit is needed for transition to a stable chronic suppressive medical regimen.

  • Frequency of outpatient follow-up ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Ceresnak SR, Liberman L, Avasarala K, et al. Are wide complex tachycardia algorithms applicable in children and patients with congenital heart disease? J Electrocardiol.  2010;...

CODES

ICD9

  • 427.1 Paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia

  • 26.82 Long QT syndrome

  • 746.89 Other specified congenital anomalies of heart

ICD10

  • I47.2 Ventricular tachycardia

  • I45.81 Long QT syndrome

  • Q24.8 Other specifi...

FAQ

  • Q: Should siblings of patients with LQTS be evaluated?

  • A: Yes. Siblings and parents (even if asymptomatic) should have an ECG, Holter monitor, and exercise stress test for evaluation of the QT inte...

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