What it means
A form of ventricular tachycardiaven-TRIK-yuh-ler tak-ih-KAR-dee-uhA fast heart rhythm that starts in the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles), usually over 100 beats per minute.ventricul/o ventricletachy- fastcardi/o heart-ia conditionFull entry whose waves grow taller and shorter in turn, like a twisting ribbon; the name is French for "twisting of the points". It happens in people with a long QT interval, which can come from low magnesium or potassium, some drugs, or an inherited condition. It can stop on its own or turn into ventricular fibrillation.
For the nurse
Know which drugs a client takes that lengthen the QT interval and check magnesium and potassium levels. If this rhythm appears, check the client right away and call for help; IV magnesium sulfate is the usual treatment, and a client without a pulse needs defibrillation.
At a glance
| Also written | torsade de pointes, torsade de pointe |
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Related terms
ventricular tachycardia
A fast heart rhythm that starts in the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles), usually over 100 beats per minute.
ventricular fibrillation
A heart rhythm in which the lower chambers quiver in a fast, chaotic way instead of pumping.
dysrhythmia
A heart rhythm that is not normal: too fast, too slow or irregular.
magnesium
A mineral in the blood that the nerves, muscles and heart need, measured with a blood test.