Kristel Longman

Case Report

A 52 year old woman presented to the Acute Medical Unit with her 4th episode of palpitations in the past four weeks. Each episode was similar in nature and described as being acute in onset, fast and regular, associated with pre-syncope but never syncope or chest pain. The episodes lasted for 30 – 45 minutes and would self terminate. Of particular note, the episodes were not associated with exertion and she had a normal exercise tolerance.

Discussion

Ventricular tachycardias represent an important cause of palpitations. The differentiation of “benign” or “idiopathic” ventricular tachycardias from those which require more aggressive pharmacological and device therapy is an important diagnostic step and requires careful history taking, clinical examination and ultrasound evaluation of both left and right ventricular function.