Arrhythmia Flashcards
Narrow QRS complex
- < 0.12
- indicates supraventricular origin
Wide QRS complex
- > 0.12
- indicates ventricular origin
Types of bradyarrhythmias
- AV block (first, second I, second II, third degree)
- Sick sinus syndrome
Classifying tachyarrhythmias
- regular vs. irregular
- narrow vs. wide QRS
Irregular, narrow QRS tachyarrythmias
- atrial fibrillation
- atrial flutter
Irregular, wide QRS tachycardia
- polymorphic VT
- Torsades de pointes
- Wolff-parkinson-white syndrome
Regular, narrow QRS tachyarrhythmias
- sinus tachycardia
- atrial flutter (with consistent AV conduction)
- paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (AV nodal reentry SVT, SA nodal reentry SVT)
Regular, wide QRS tachyarrhythmias
- monomorphic VTs (ventricular tachy, ventricular fibrillation)
Managing regular, narrow complex tachycardia (haemodynamically stable)
Acute:
1. vagal maneouvers (valsalva, carotid sinus massage)
2. IV adenosine (6mg, 12mg, 18mg)
3. Consider trying verapamil
3. electrical cardioversion
Prevention:
- beta-blockers
- radio-frequency ablation
Managing haemodynamically unstable tachycardia
SVT and VT
- synchronised DC cardioversion (up to 3 times)
- perform under sedation
Managing irregular, narrow-complex tachycardia (haemodynamically stable)
Atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter
> 48 hours:
- do not treat with cardiovesion until anti-coagulated for at least 3 weeks (reduce risk dislodging thrombus)
- if haemo unstable- can give LMWH prior to immediate cardioversion
< 48 hours:
- chemical cardioversion using flecainide, propafenone, or amiodarone
Long-term management of arrhythmias
- radio-frequency ablation
- beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers
Managing broad-complex QRS tachycardia (haemodynamically unstable)
immediate electrical cardioversion
Managing broad-complex QRS tachycardia (haemodynamically stable)
Chemical cardioversion:
- amiodarone
- lidocaine
Drugs fail?
- electrophysiological study
- implantable cardioverter defibs
Which drug is contraindicated in VTs?
VERAPAMIL