What is the Difference Between Polymorphic and Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) and monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) are both types of ventricular tachycardia, which is a fast heart rhythm originating from the ventricles. The key difference between the two lies in the QRS morphology on an electrocardiogram (ECG):
- Polymorphic VT: Characterized by a constantly changing QRS complex, with beat-to-beat variation in QRS shape and multiple QRS morphologies. The electrical activity in the heart is more unstable in polymorphic VT.
- Monomorphic VT: Characterized by a single, stable QRS morphology with no beat-to-beat variation. The QRS complexes are consistent in shape and appear uniform and symmetrical.
Polymorphic VT is often associated with unstable electrical activity in the heart and is considered more dangerous than monomorphic VT. Monomorphic VT, on the other hand, is usually caused by a myocardial scar and is more common in patients with structural heart disease or certain medications and electrolyte imbalances. Treatment options for both types of ventricular tachycardia may include medications, catheter ablation of the heart, or other therapeutic interventions.
Comparative Table: Polymorphic vs Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
Here is a table comparing the differences between Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (PVT) and Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (MVT):
Feature | Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (PVT) | Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (MVT) |
---|---|---|
QRS Complex | Constantly changing QRS complex | Consistent QRS complex |
Origin | Ventricular tachycardia originates in different places around the ventricle | Ventricular tachycardia repeatedly originates in the same place of the ventricle |
Association | Structural heart disease, certain medications, electrolyte imbalances | Structural heart disease, certain medications, electrolyte imbalances |
QT Interval | More likely to have prolonged QT interval | Less likely to have prolonged QT interval |
Treatment | Intravenous magnesium, removing offending drugs, or correcting potassium and calcium imbalances | Treatment generally better than PVT |
PVT and MVT are both types of ventricular tachycardia, which are fast heart rhythms originating from the ventricles. The main difference between the two is that PVT is characterized by a constantly changing QRS complex, while MVT has a consistent QRS complex.
- Ventricular Tachycardia vs Ventricular Fibrillation
- Torsades de Pointes vs Ventricular Fibrillation
- Tachycardia vs Bradycardia
- AFIB vs VFIB vs SVT
- Monophasic vs Biphasic Defibrillator
- Paroxysmal vs Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
- Atrial Fibrillation vs Ectopic Beats
- Ventricular Ectopics vs Supraventricular Ectopics
- Sinus Tach vs SVT
- Junctional vs Idioventricular Rhythm
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy vs Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Atria vs Ventricles
- Left Ventricular Hypertrophy vs Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Contractile Myocardium vs Autorhythmic Myocardium
- Atrial vs Ventricular Septal Defect
- Chronotropic vs Dromotropic
- Cardioversion vs Defibrillation
- Arrhythmia vs Dysrhythmia
- Atrial Fibrillation vs Atrial Flutter