Recurrent ventricular tachycardia.

Recurrent ventricular tachycardia presents nurses with multiple challenges in terms of the knowledge of arrhythmia etiology, treatment, identification of potential problems, and physiologic and psychologic interventions before, during, and after an electrophysiology study. To assist in the understanding of arrhythmia etiology, the predominant electrophysiologic mechanisms for recurrent ventricular tachycardia are discussed. Also discussed are the procedures that can occur during an electrophysiology study and treatment options. Implications for nurses are discussed and include such factors as potential adverse physiologic and psychologic incidents that may be manifested in the pre- or postelectrophysiology study period.