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Cardio-Resp > Arrythmias: Ventricular tachyarrhythmias > Flashcards

Arrythmias: Ventricular tachyarrhythmias Flashcards

1
Q

List the types of Ventricular tachyarrhythmias

A 
Life-threatening:
-Sustained ventricular tachycardia
-Ventricular fibrillation
-Torsades de pointes
Normal heart ventricular tachycardia
Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia
Ventricular ectopics
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2
Q

Define cardiac channelopathies

A

Congenital disorders due to mutations that affect cardiac ion channels and electrical activity in the heart.

Includes: Brugada syndrome, congenital long QT, short QT, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), and idiopathic VF

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3
Q

Define sustained ventricular tachycardia

A

A ventricular tachycardia (usually 120-220 bpm) with >30s duration.

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4
Q

How may sustained ventricular tachycardia present?

A

Pre-syncope (dizziness)
Syncope
Hypotension
Cardiac arrest

May be remarkably well tolerated in some patients

Cannon ‘a’ waves in neck (due to AV dissociation), and variable intensity of S1

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5
Q

What ECG changes are seen with sustained ventricular tachycardia?

A

Broad QRS: often >140ms

  • 80% of broad complex tachycardias are VT
  • Concordant QRS in all chest leads suggestive of VT

Regular R-R intervals
AV dissociation
Capture beats: intermittent narrow QRS due to normal ventricular activation via AVN.
Fusion beats: hybrid complex as supraventricular and ventricular impulse coincide.

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6
Q

Outline the treatment of sustained ventricular tachycardia

A

Treat any identifiable underlying causes

Haemodynamically unstable:

  • Emergency DC cardioversion
  • May use adjunctive amiodarone and lidocaine

Haeomodynamically stable (non-idiopathic):

  • Amiodarone: preferred if LV dysfunction, or
  • Lidocaine: history or suspected ischaemia
  • If unsuccessful: DC cardioversion

Haemodynamically stable idiopathic sustained VT:
-Electrophysiology specialist advice

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7
Q

Distinguish between SVT with BBB and VT

A

VT is more likely in the following:

  • Very broad QRS
  • AV dissociation
  • Bifid QRS with taller first peak in V1
  • Deep S wave in V6
  • Concordant QRS in all chest leads
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8
Q

Define ventricular fibrillation

A

Very rapid irregular activation of the ventricles with no mechanical effect (pulseless).

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9
Q

How does ventricular fibrillation present?

A

Pulseless
Rapid unconsciousness
Respiration ceases
Cardiac arrest

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10
Q

What ECG changes are seen with ventricular fibrillation?

A

Broad QRS
Shapeless rapid oscillations
No organised complexes

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11
Q

What is the treatment of ventricular fibrillation?

A

DC cardioversion with basic and advanced life support

ICD if unrelated to an MI, due to high risk of recurrent cardiac arrest and sudden death.

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12
Q

Define Brugada syndrome

A

A hereditary sodium channelopathy resulting in idiopathic VF (no structural disease).

Carries a high risk of sudden cardiac death, and is prevalent amongst young males in SEA.

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13
Q

Outline the presentation of Brugada syndrome

A

Sudden death during sleep*
Resuscitated cardiac arrest
Syncope

May be asymptomatic

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14
Q

How is Brugada syndrome diagnosed?

A

Characteristic Type 1 ECG finding + clinical criteria

Type 1 ECG: Coved ST elevation in at least two of V1-V3, with T wave inversion

Clinical criteria: one of

  • Documented VF or polymorphic VT
  • FHx of sudden cardiac death <45yr
  • Coved ECG in family
  • Inducible VT with Class I antiarrhythmics
  • Syncope
  • Nocturnal agonal respiration
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15
Q

What is the treatment for Brugada syndrome?

A

ICD

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16
Q

Name 3 causes of acquired long QT syndrome

A

Bradycardia: provokes QT prolongation and Torsades
Acute MI

Hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia, hypocalcaemia

Quinidine, procainamide (Ia)
Sotalol, amiodarone (III)
Tricyclic antidepressants: Amitriptyline, clomipramine
Antipsychotics:
-FGAs: Haloperidol, chlorpromazine
-SGAs: Olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone etc.
Macrolides: Erythromycin, clarithromycin
Ciprofloxacin
Methadone
17
Q

Define prolonged QT interval

A

QTc >450ms (male) or >460ms (female) on ECG

18
Q

Describe the ECG appearance of Torsades de Pointes

A

QRS complexes twisting around isoelectric line

19
Q

How can Torsades de Pointes present?

A

Recurrent syncope*
Palpitations

Usually terminates spontaneously, but may degenerate to VF, causes sudden death

20
Q

Outline the treatment of Torsades de Pointes

A

IV magnesium sulphate

Correct any electrolyte disturbances
Stop causative drugs
Atrial or ventricular pacing to maintain heart rate

21
Q

Name 3 risk factors for Torsades de Pointes

A

Congenital long QT syndrome
Female gender
Acquired long QT syndrome (causes of which include medications and electrolyte disorders such as hypokalaemia and hypomagnesemia)
Bradycardia
Baseline electrocardiographic abnormalities
Renal or liver failure (such as alcoholic liver disease)

22
Q

What is the management of congenital long QT syndrome?

A

Lifestyle: avoid drugs that prolong QT interval, prevent electrolyte abnormalities (diarrhoea, vomiting, metabolic conditions, imbalanced weight-loss diets), restrict stressors that may predispose to arrhythmias.

Beta blockers* (reduces mortality from 21% to 0.5%)
ICD: documented cardiac arrest

Family screening

23
Q

What is the treatment of acquired long QT syndrome?

A

Correct electrolyte disturbances
Stop causative drugs
Maintain atrial or ventricular pacing
Magnesium sulphate

24
Q

When is beta-blocker therapy mandatory in long QT syndrome?

A

All symptomatic patients

Asymptomatic with a QTc >470 ms

25
Q

State 3 features in a history that would raise suspicion of a cardiac condition of genetic origin

A

FHx of fainting, cardiac events, sudden unexplained deaths, accidents, or drownings

26
Q

How is QTc calculated?

A

QTc = QT interval / sq root of RR interval

Accurate for patients with normal heart rate (60-100)

27
Q

How is long QT syndrome diagnosed?

A

At least one of the following:

  1. Schwartz score of 3.5 or greater, in the absence of a secondary cause for QT prolongation
  2. QTc of 500ms of greater in repeated 12-lead ECGs, in the absence of a secondary cause for QT prolongation
  3. Pathogenic mutation in one of the LQTS genes
28
Q

Name one indications for ICD in long QT syndrome

A

Documented cardiac arrest

Recurrent syncope while on beta-blocker therapy

Cardio-Resp (26 decks)

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