EM Arrhythmia Flashcards
How long can you pause compressions during a code?
10 seconds
What is physiologically occuring in ventricular fibrillation?
Disorganized depolarization
No pulse
What defines sustained ventricular tachycardia?
3+ ectopic ventricular beats
See changes on EKG
What type of shock delivers an unsynchronized, high voltage shock anywhere along the QRS complex and used in pulseless VT or VF?
Defibrilation
What is the treatment of bradycardia?
Depends on stability of the patient - treat the patient no the number
- Atropine
- Transcutaneous pacing
- Epinephrine
- Treat underlying cause
You are working in the emergency department, and a 50-year-old male patient presents with sudden onset chest pain and dizziness. His ECG reveals ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. Which arrhythmia is most likely responsible for these ECG findings?
Supraventricular Tachycardia in the presence of an inferior wall MI
How may someone with a tachyarrhythmia present?
What is the pattern on EKG?
- HF
- Shock
- SOB
- CP
- MI
- Palpitations
- Syncope
Narrow and regular
What is the most common tachyarrhythmia?
Sinus Tachycardia
What is the treatment for tachyarrythmias?
Adenosine
Tell me about Adenosine?
Works by blocking the AV node
Used for PSVT, tachyarrhythmia
Rapid onset
Tell me about Amiodarone?
Inhibit alpha and beta, will prolong the action potential and refractory period
Decreased SA and AV function
Several Black Box Warning
Tell me about Atropine?
Used for bradycardia
Blocks parasympathetic effect on smooth muscles
Used in cholinergic poisinings
Tell me about Lidocaine?
Used for ventricular arrhythmias in cardiac arrest, VT/VF
Reduces automaticity, increases threshold of the ventricles
Blocks conduction of nerve impusles (unable to depolarize)
Used with Epi to prolong the life of Lidocaine,typically in a laceration
