What can lead to a higher risk of ventricular tachycardia?

What can lead to a higher risk of ventricular tachycardia?

• A. Increased physical fitness
• B. Decreased automaticity of ventricular foci
• C. Presence of multiple irritable foci
• D. Improved oxygenation status

Answer: (C)

A higher risk of ventricular tachycardia is associated with the presence of multiple irritable foci within the ventricles. Ventricular tachycardia can occur when these foci, which may be the result of scarring, ischemia, or other cardiac conditions, become hyperactive and start to discharge electrical impulses more frequently than the normal pacemaker of the heart.

The presence of multiple irritable foci increases the likelihood of reentrant circuits, which can propagate rapid impulses, leading to the sustained rapid heart rates characteristic of ventricular tachycardia. Essentially, when there are multiple areas within the ventricles that can initiate impulses, it creates a higher potential for disorganized electrical activity that can lead to this arrhythmia.

In contrast, factors like increased physical fitness or improved oxygenation status typically contribute to cardiac health and stability. Decreased automaticity of ventricular foci would imply a lower likelihood of erratic impulses being produced, reducing the chances of ventricular tachycardia occurring.