Ventricular Tachycardia

Question 1

What is the defintion of VT?

Answer 1

1. regular, broad-complex tachycardia
2. ventricles pump > 100bpm
3. leading to ↓ stroke volume

Question 2

What are causes or RF for ventricular tachycardia?

Answer 2

1. Cardiomyopathy
2. Coronary Artery Disease
3. Electrolyte abnormalities (↓ K+, ↓ Ca2+, ↓Mg2+)
4. Drug abuse (cocaine, caffeine)
5. Long QT syndrome
6. Brugada syndrome
7. short QT syndrome

Question 3

What are the signs and symptoms of ventricular tachycardia?

Answer 3

1. Syncope/dizziness
2. Chest pain
3. SOB
4. Hypotension / Tachycardia
5. Sudden death

Question 4

What are the investigations for ventricular tachycardia?

Answer 4

1. ECG
2. U&Es
3. Troponin & Creatine kinase-MB (CKMB)

Question 5

What is the management for haemodynamic instability & VT with a pulse?

Answer 5

DC cardioversion

and Must be synchronised

Question 6

What is the management for Haemodynamic stability & VT with a pulse?

Answer 6

1. IV amiodarone

2. If fails, DC cardiovert

Question 7

What is the management for Torsades de Pointes?

Answer 7

IV magnesium sulfate

leads to pVT

Question 8

What is the management for pulseless VT (Pt will be unstable and pulseless)?

Answer 8

ALS

Question 9

What are two shockable rhythms?

Answer 9

1. pulseless VT

2. VF