1. Ventricular Arrhythmias Flashcards
What are the 2 subtypes of ventricular arrhythmias?
- ventricular fibrillation
- ventricular tachycardia
What are the 2 subtypes of ventricular tachycardia?
- monomorphic VT
- polymorphic VT
Torsades de pointes belongs to what VT subtype?
polymorphic VT
How does a patient with ventricular arrhythmia present?
- with or without pulse
- syncope
- chest pain
- lightheaded or dizziness
- palpitations
- dyspnea
What does ACLS stand for?
Advance Cardia Life Support
What are the 3 components of the first step of ACLS?
- start CPR
- give oxygen
- attach monitor
What are the 2 drug therapy options for pulseless VT/VF ACLS?
- epinephrine 1 mg q 3-5 minutes
- amiodarone 300 mg bolus, second dose 150 mg followed by continuous infusion
What are the 5 H’s that cause cardiac arrest?
- hypovolemia
- hypoxia
- hydrogen ion (acidosis)
- hypo/hyperkalemia
- hypothermia
What are the 5 T’s that cause cardiac arrest?
- tension pneumothorax
- tamponade, cardiac
- toxins
- thrombosis, pulmonary
- thrombosis, coronary
What should you check for in the second step of ACLS?
Is the rhythm shockable?
What rhythms are considered unshockable?
- asystole
- pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
What rhythms are considered shockable?
- ventricular fibrillation
- pulseless ventricular tachycardia
After defibrillating a patient, what is the next step?
- CPR for 2 minutes
- IV access
If patient is able to be shocked for a 2nd time, what is the next step?
- CPR for 2 minutes
- epinephrine q 3-5 minutes
- consider advanced airway and capnography
What is capnography?
the monitoring of the concentration or partial pressure of carbon dioxide
If a patient is able to be shocked for a 3rd time, what is the next step?
- CPR for 2 minutes
- amiodarone
- treat reversible causes
If a patient is NOT a candidate for defibrillation, what is the next step?
- CPR for 2 minutes
- IV access
- epinephrine q 3-5 minutes
- consider advanced airway and capnography
What are the characteristics of return of spontaneous circulation?
- pulse and blood pressure
- abrupt sustained increase in PETCO2
- spontaneous arterial pressure waves with intra-arterial monitoring
What is first line therapy for pulseless VT/VF?
defibrillation
What are the “shockable rhythms”?
pulseless VT and VF
Defibrillation “jump starts” the heart. (T/F)
False
Defibrillation produces temporary ________.
asystole
What is the purpose of producing temporary asystole?
- completely depolarizes the heart
- allows the nodes to restore normal activity
Following asystole due to defibrillation, if sufficient store of ______ remain in the heart, it should restore normal sinus rhythm.
ATP
What are the roles of the pharmacist in ACLS?
- anticipate and prepare medications for administration
- communicate instructions for medical administration
- aide in medication choices
What does VT look like on ECG?
wide QRS complex arrhythmia
Ventricular tachycardia is defined as at least __ consecutive premature ventricular contractions at a rate of > ____ beats/minute.
- 3
- 100
NSVT spontaneously terminates in what amount of time?
< 30 seconds
What does NSVT stand for?
non-sustained ventricular tachycardia
SVT lasts for what amount of time?
> 30 seconds
What intervention can be made for SVT?
cardioversion
What does SVT stand for?
sustained ventricular tachycardia
What is ventricular storm?
3 or more sustained episodes of VT/VF or appropriate shocks from implacable cardioverter-defibrillator within 24 hours.
What are the medication options for ventricular storm?
- Class III agents: amiodarone
- β blockers
- Class Ib agents: lidocaine, mexiletine
- Procainamide
What medication should be avoided in VT storm?
catecholamines
What are the 2 treatment options for VT storm?
- medication therapy
- perform revascularization if indicated
VT/VF is often driven through excessive systemic _________.
catecholamines