Ventricular Tachycardia Causes and Underlying Factors

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a serious type of arrhythmia characterized by the occurrence of three or more consecutive ventricular premature beats. This condition requires prompt medical attention due to its potential severity. There are several underlying causes of ventricular tachycardia, which can be broadly classified into structural heart disease and non-structural heart conditions.

Structural Heart Diseases Leading to VT

Myocardial Inflammation and Damage: In children, myocarditis is a common cause of ventricular tachycardia. In adults, conditions such as myocardial infarction and acute myocardial ischemia are frequently associated with VT. These conditions affect the heart muscle and disrupt normal electrical signaling, leading to abnormal heart rhythms.

Cardiomyopathies: Among the most common structural causes are various types of cardiomyopathies — including dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and restrictive cardiomyopathy. These diseases weaken the heart muscle and can lead to a range of arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia.

Valvular Heart Disease: Conditions affecting heart valves such as aortic valve disease, mitral valve disease, tricuspid valve abnormalities, and pulmonary valve disorders can also contribute to VT. Additionally, both preoperative and postoperative phases of complex congenital heart disease surgeries may trigger episodes of ventricular tachycardia.

Non-Structural and Secondary Causes of VT

Metabolic and Physiological Triggers:

Pharmacological and Toxic Factors: The use of beta-adrenergic agonists or exposure to certain toxins can lead to ventricular arrhythmias. In some cases, no clear structural or metabolic cause can be identified, and the condition is classified as idiopathic ventricular tachycardia.