February 4, 2016 - Ventricular Arrythmias

Question 1

Ventricular Tachycardia

Answer 1

Is a rapid heart beat that arises from improper electrical activity of the heart presenting as a rapid heart rhythm, that starts in the ventricles.

This is a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia because it can cause low blood pressure and lead to ventricular fibrillation, asystole, and sudden death.

Question 2

Differentiating VT from SVT w/ Aberrancy

Answer 2

Not always possible…. but can be done if you see…

1) AV dissociation

2) Capture beats

3) Fusion beats

Question 3

AV Dissociation

Answer 3

Question 4

Capture Beat

Answer 4

When a normal impulse is conducted through the AV node.

Question 5

Fusion Beat

Answer 5

The “lovechild” between different electical activity acting on the heart.

Question 6

Class I Drugs

Answer 6

Sodium Channel Blockers

Good suppression of premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) and VT

Question 7

Class II Drugs

Answer 7

Beta Blockers

Question 8

Class III Drugs

Answer 8

Potassium Channel Blockers

Can suppress PVCs and VT/VF

Prolong QT interval

Eg. Amiodarone

Question 9

Class IV Drugs

Answer 9

Calcium Channel Blockers