Management of ventricular tachycardia complicating cardiac surgery

Sustained ventricular tachycardias occur in 1%-3% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia usually indicates a scar-related arrhythmia substrate. Polymorphic arrhythmias can be due to transient events. The electrocardiographic characteristics of the arrhythmia and clinical characteristics of the patient are important considerations in the immediate and long-term management considerations.