Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Pulseless ventricular tachycardia laboratory findings
Introduction
Overview
Overview
There aren’t any specific findings associated with pulseless ventricular tachycardia. However, investigations should be conducted to find the underlying etiology of the arrhythmia.
Laboratory Findings
Laboratory Findings
- There aren’t any specific diagnostic laboratory findings associated with pulseless ventricular tachycardia.
- To find the underlying etiology of the arrhythmic event, the following investigations should be conducted;
- Serial cardiac enzymes;[1] these can help assess myocardial ischemia or infarction. They include;
- Troponin I and Troponin T
- Creatinine-kinase MB
- Serum electrolytes;[2][3] measuring electrolyte levels are important as imbalances in certain electrolytes predispose patients to torsade the pointes, a common cause of pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Important electrolytes to measure include;[1]
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Phosphate
- Magnesium
- A toxicology screen should be obtained to measure levels of therapeutic and illicit drugs (cocaine) as they can result in ventricular tachycardia.
References
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 “Ventricular Tachycardia: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology”.
- ↑ Tchou P, Young P, Mahmud R, Denker S, Jazayeri M, Akhtar M (January 1988). “Useful clinical criteria for the diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia”. Am. J. Med. 84 (1): 53–6. doi:10.1016/0002-9343(88)90008-3. PMID 3337132.
- ↑ Lown B, Temte JV, Arter WJ (June 1973). “Cardiac arrhythmias. 6. Ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Clinical aspects”. Circulation. 47 (6): 1364–81. doi:10.1161/01.cir.47.6.1364. PMID 4709549.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aisha Adigun, B.Sc., M.D.[2]