The key difference between Torsades de Pointes and ventricular fibrillation is that Torsades de Pointes is a type of ventricular tachycardia where ventricles contract rapidly but usually regularly, while ventricular fibrillation is a type of irregular heart rhythm where ventricle walls twitch uncontrollably and irregularly.
Arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat. It is a problem with the rhythm of the heartbeat. In this condition, the heart may beat too quickly, too slowly, or with an irregular rhythm. Torsades de Pointes and ventricular fibrillation are two different types of arrhythmias.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Torsades de Pointes
3. What is Ventricular Fibrillation
4. Similarities – Torsades de Pointes and Ventricular Fibrillation
5. Torsades de Pointes vs. Ventricular Fibrillation in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Torsades de Pointes vs. Ventricular Fibrillation
What is Torsades de Pointes?
Torsades de Pointes is a type of very fast heart rhythm that starts in the heart’s lower chambers (ventricles). Unlike a normal pulse rate of 60 to 100 beats a minute, in Torsades de Pointes, the heart rate is anywhere between 150 to 300 beats a minute. In this condition, ventricles contract rapidly but usually regularly. Torsades de Pointes may occur in individuals with congenital Long QT syndrome or when they are prescribed medications that extend the QT interval, including antifungal agents, antibiotics, antipsychotics, antiemetics, antiarrhythmics, and cancer drugs.
The symptoms of this condition may include dizziness, palpitations, light-headedness, syncope, and sudden cardiac arrest. The complications of Torsades de Pointes include ventricular fibrillation, syncope (fainting), and sudden cardiac death.
Figure 01: Torsades de Pointes
Torsades de Pointes can be diagnosed through physical examinations, electrocardiogram (EKG), blood tests, echocardiogram, and a heart monitor at home. Furthermore, Torsades de Pointes can be treated by providing medicines such as magnesium or potassium, isoproterenol, beta-blockers like Nadolol, temporary or permanent cardiac pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), electrical cardioversion, and defibrillation.
What is Ventricular Fibrillation?
Ventricular fibrillation is a very serious condition characterized by a rapid or irregular heart rhythm originating in the ventricles, which prevents the effective pumping of blood throughout the body. In this condition, the ventricle wall twitches or quivers uncontrollably and irregularly, leading to sudden cardiac arrest. Ventricular fibrillation is the most common deadly arrhythmia, where lower chambers of the heart quiver or twitch instead of completely expanding and squeezing.
Figure 02: Ventricular Fibrillation
Ventricular fibrillation can be caused by heart disease, heart attack or chest pain, diseases that change the structure of the heart, other arrhythmias, heart surgery, certain medications, electrolyte imbalances, electrical shock, and being hit in the chest with a fast-moving object. Moreover, the symptoms of this condition may include chest pain, dizziness, nausea, racing or erratic pulse, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath. The complications involved in ventricular fibrillation include repeat episodes of fainting or near fainting, cardiac arrest, and damage to the neurological system, kidneys, and liver.
Ventricular fibrillation can be diagnosed through physical examination and electrocardiogram. Furthermore, ventricular fibrillation is treated through chest compressions (CPR), using an automated external defibrillator (AED), antiarrhythmic medications, and implanted devices such as cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).
What are the Similarities Between Torsades de Pointes and Ventricular Fibrillation?
- Torsades de Pointes and ventricular fibrillation are two different types of arrhythmias.
- Ventricular fibrillation is a complication of Torsades de Pointes.
- Both conditions are due to problems in the ventricles.
- They may have similar symptoms, such as chest pain and heart palpitation.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examinations and electrocardiograms.
- They can be treated through medications and surgeries.
What is the Difference Between Torsades de Pointes and Ventricular Fibrillation?
Torsades de Pointes is a type of ventricular tachycardia where ventricles contract rapidly but usually regularly, while ventricular fibrillation is a type of irregular heart rhythm where ventricle walls twitch uncontrollably and irregularly. Thus, this is the key difference between Torsades de Pointes and ventricular fibrillation. Furthermore, Torsades de Pointes can be life-threatening if it lasts for more than 30 seconds, but it is not always life-threatening. Ventricular fibrillation is always life-threatening, causing cardiac arrest.
The infographic below presents the differences between Torsades de Pointes and ventricular fibrillation in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Torsades de Pointes vs. Ventricular Fibrillation
An arrhythmia is an abnormal heartbeat. It can start in the different parts of the heart. Torsades de Pointes and ventricular fibrillation are two different types of arrhythmias that start in the ventricles. Torsades de Pointes is a type of ventricular tachycardia where ventricles contract rapidly but usually regularly, while ventricular fibrillation is a type of irregular heart rhythm where ventricle walls twitch or quiver uncontrollably and irregularly. Moreover, Torsades de Pointes is normally a less dangerous condition, whereas ventricular fibrillation is always a very dangerous condition. So, this summarizes the difference between Torsades de Pointes and ventricular fibrillation.
Reference:
1. “Torsade de Pointes.” StatPearls. NCBI Bookshelf.
2.“Ventricular Fibrillation.” JHM.
Image Courtesy:
1. “12leadTorsade (CardioNetworks ECGpedia)” By CardioNetworks: [ ] – CardioNetworks: 12leadTorsade.jpg (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Ventricular fibrillation” By Jer5150 – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia