BACKGROUND : Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia ( VT ) is one of the most life threatening arrhythmias presenting in emergency. Haemodynamic instability in such patients further increases the morbidity and mortality.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES : To study the effect of  haemodynamic instability on the final outcome of  sustained VT patients presenting in emergency   and to  study  the clinicoaetiological  profile of such patients.. 

METHODS : A total of 63 patients of sustained ventricular tachycardia ( VT ) presenting in emergency were enrolled. These patients were divided in to haemodynamically stable and unstable groups  and were observed for their clinicoaetiological profile and outcome.

RESULTS :  Haemodynamic instability at presentation  was present in 22 patients (  55 % ) of sustained  VT,  presenting in emergency. Majority of these patients were males ( 68 %). Polymorphic VT was present in 10  patients  ; out of these 10 patients , 9 patients  ( 90% ) were haemodynamically  unstable. Coronary artery disease ( CAD) was the most common aetiology of haemodynamic instability  seen in 15 patients ( 41 % ). Decreased Left Ventricular ejection Fraction ( LVEF ) was seen in  19 patients( 86 %) of haemodynamic instability.

CONCLUSION :  Haemodynamic instability in sustained  VT increases the mortality in such patients. Decreased  LVEF and  polymorphic  pattern of VT are associated with increased chances of haemodynamic instability. Coronary artery disease  ( CAD)  is most common aetiology of haemodynamic instability in patients of sustained VT.