ventricular dysrhythmias Flashcards
what are the ventricular dysrhythmias
premature ventricular contractions (PVC)
ventricular tachycardia
ventricular fibrillation
can you live with ventricular dysrhythmias
no
what is a PVC
contraction coming from an ectopic focus in the ventricles
characteristics of PVCs
-comes earlier than the QRS should
-doesn’t follow a normal rhythm
-no p wave
-QRS is wide & distorted
what causes PVCs
-stimulants
-electrolytes
-hypoxia
-fever
-exercise
-emotional stress
-CVD
how to treat PVCs
treat the cause
what drugs are used for PVCs
-beta blockers
-lidocaine
-amiodarone
bigeminy PVC
PVC occur every other beat
concern pt is about to convert to v.tach
what is v.tach
consists of 3 or more PVCs together
ectopic focus within the ventricles takes controls and fires repeatedly
v.tach characteristics
-no atrial contractions occurring (no p wave)
-looks like repeating tall waves
-rates= 150-200 bmp
-rhythm is regular
what is seriously decreased in v.tach
cardiac output
what causes v.tach
-MI
-CAD
-significant electrolytes abnormalities
-heart failure
-drug toxicity
how to treat v.tach
-ACLS based on if patient has a pulse or doesn’t have a pulse
-antidysrhythmic med (BB or CCB)
-electrolyte replacement
if v.tach isn’t treated, patient can go into
v.fib
what is v.fib
irregular waveforms of varying shapes and sizes
