Case 3 - Arrhytmia Flashcards
Difference between SVT and VT?
- SVT - narrow complex tachycardia, linked to atrial activation of ventricles via accessory pathway or re-entrant circuit, less CO threatening, can be managed with valsalva etc
- VT - broad complex tachycardia, originates from ventricles, can significantly compromise CO, need urgent shocking
Management of SVT - if stable (no hypotension or tachycardia)
- Valsalva manoeuvre - blow into syringe while lying down
- Carotid sinus massage
If unsuccessful:
* IV adenosine challenge
* Then IV metoprolol or IV verapamil if unsuccessful
* Then cardioversion if unsuccessful
Management of SVT if haemodynamically unstable
Cardioversion
Management of AF
- Rate or rhythm control - rate beta blocker or rate control CCB
- Anticoagulate with DOAC (warfarin 2nd line) when CHADVASC is 2 or more, and consider in men who score is 1 with
- Take into account bleed risk with ORBIT score
CHADVASC meaning
- CHF
- HTN
- Age older 75 (score 2)
- Diabetes
- Vascular disease
- Age 65-74
- Sex - female
- Cerebrovascular event - stroke/tia (2)
ORBIT score bleed risk
- Older - 75 or more
- Renal impairement (less than 60)
- Bleeding (GI or intracranial bleed history)
- Iron (low Hb/Ht)
- Taking antiplatelets
HASBLED score bleed risk
- HTN
- Abnormal liver/renal function
- Stroke
- Bleeding
- Labile INR (unstable/high)
- Elderly (older 65)
- Drugs/alcohol
Indications for electrical DC cardioversion for AF
- Life threatening haemodynamic instability caused by new onset AF
Management AF guidelines
- Offer rate or rhythm control if onset is less than 48hrs
- Offer rate control if onset is more than 48hrs or uncertain
- Rhythm control is pharmacological or electrical cardioversion
Pharmacological cardioversion options
- Flecainide or
- Amiodarone
If no evidence of structural heart disease
Amiodarone if heart disease
When is rhythm control recommended in AF? (ie not rate control)
- atrial fibrillation has a reversible cause
- heart failure thought to be primarily caused by atrial fibrillation
- new-onset atrial fibrillation
- atrial flutter whose condition is considered suitable for an ablation strategy to restore sinus rhythm
- for whom a rhythm-control strategy would be more suitable based on clinical judgement
Rate control medications AF
- Beta blocker
- CCB - rate (eg verapamil or diltiazem)
5 commonest causes of AF
- Sepsis
- Mitral valve pathology (stenosis/regurge)
- IHD
- Thyrotoxicosis
- HTN
Also alcohol and caffeine
SMITH AC
What is Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome?
- Abnormal electrical pathway (accessory pathway) that bypasses AV node
- Congenital
Drugs used long term AF
- Rate - beta blockers, diltiazem, verapamil, digoxin
- Rhythm - amiodarone
- DOAC
- Statin if needed
- BP management