Nonsustained Ventricular Tachycardia in the Normal Heart: Risk Stratification and Management
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Halsted 572, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Abstract:
Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) may trigger concern, particularly in patients with known congestive heart failure, structural heart disease, or prolonged QT interval. When NSVT occurs in patients with normal hearts, it usually has a benign prognosis. Therefore, establishing the presence or absence of structural or inherited heart disease is a critical step in each patient's evaluation. It is important to approach a wide-complex tachycardia in a systematic manner, to ensure correct diagnosis and treatment. When NSVT occurs in a patient with a normal heart, treatment is targeted toward symptoms and may consist of observation, medical therapy, or catheter ablation.
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