monomorphic ventricular tachycardia
A fast heart rhythm originating from the ventricles with a consistent QRS morphology throughout the episode.
Full Definition
Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia is a sustained arrhythmia characterized by three or more consecutive ventricular beats at a rate typically exceeding 100 beats per minute, with uniform QRS complexes that maintain the same shape and morphology throughout the episode. This contrasts with polymorphic VT where the QRS morphology varies. Monomorphic VT often indicates a fixed anatomical substrate such as scar tissue from previous myocardial infarction and may be hemodynamically stable or unstable depending on the rate and underlying cardiac function.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify 'monomorphic' to distinguish from polymorphic variants; abbreviate as 'MMVT' only in specialized EP contexts.
In Context
- "The patient presented with hemodynamically stable monomorphic ventricular tachycardia at 180 bpm." — Emergency department report
- "Catheter ablation successfully eliminated the monomorphic ventricular tachycardia substrate." — Procedure note