What distinguishes stable from unstable Ventricular Tachycardia?

The primary distinction between stable and unstable Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) lies in the immediate necessity for intervention. In stable VT, the patient is usually alert and with adequate blood pressure, which means they might not exhibit severe symptoms, and immediate treatment may not be critical. This allows health care providers the time to assess and consider the best course of action.

Conversely, unstable VT is characterized by significant symptoms or hemodynamic instability, requiring rapid intervention. This could include severe hypotension, altered mental status, or chest pain, which indicates that the heart is not sufficiently perfusing the organs and tissues. Thus, the urgency of treatment differs between the two conditions, highlighting why only unstable VT requires immediate intervention, making the distinction clear when evaluating patient status and deciding on treatment protocols.