Ventricular tachycardia (vtach) can potentially progress to which serious condition?

• A. Atrial fibrillation
• B. Myocardial infarction
• C. Ventricular fibrillation
• D. Heart block

Answer: (C)

Ventricular tachycardia (vtach) is a rapid heartbeat that originates from the ventricles of the heart and is characterized by a series of fast, abnormal heartbeats. One of the most concerning aspects of vtach is its potential to progress to ventricular fibrillation.

Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening arrhythmia where the heart's electrical activity becomes chaotic, preventing the heart from effectively pumping blood. This condition can lead to sudden cardiac arrest if not treated immediately. The progression from vtach to vfib occurs because sustained vtach can lead to a lack of coordinated contraction of the heart muscle, which ultimately disrupts the normal rhythm and can lead to fibrillation.

In contrast, while options like atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, and heart block may be associated with various heart conditions, they do not directly result from a progression of vtach in the same immediate and critical manner as ventricular fibrillation does.