Ventricular tachycardia & Ventricular fibrillation

Question 1

describe what ventricular tachycardia is

Answer 1

increased heart rate

Question 2

what are the symptoms associated with ventricular tachycardia

Answer 2

dizziness, hypotension, palpitations, cardiac arrest

Question 3

describe the ECG seen in ventricular tachycardia

Answer 3

wide QRS complexes, polymorphisms(TDP)- looks like mountains

Question 4

what is the treatment for stable ventricular tachycardia

Answer 4

amiodarone(class III) + class I(e.g. lignocaine, aka lidocaine)

Question 5

what is the treatment for unstable ventricular tachycardia

Answer 5

DCCV(direct current cardioversion)

Question 6

what is the treatment for pulseless ventricular tachycardia

Answer 6

defibrillation

Question 7

describe what ventricular fibrillation(VF) is

Answer 7

rapid irregular ventricular contractions with useless effect

Question 8

describe the seriousness of VF

Answer 8

life threatening, cardiac arrest usually follows VF

Question 9

what are the symptoms of VF

Answer 9

syncope, cardiac arrest

Question 10

what is seen on the ECG for VF

Answer 10

wandering baseline, irregular, random wave forms, no identifiable QRS

Question 11

what is the short term treatment given for VF

Answer 11

defibrillation and magnesium chloride

Question 12

what is the long term treatment for VF

Answer 12

implantable cardioverter defibrillator(ICD)