Ventricular Tachycardias

Question 1

What is a ventricular tachycardia

Answer 1

Originates from a ventricular ectopic focus

Question 2

What does ventricular tachycardia have the potential to precipitate

Answer 2

Ventricular fibrillation

Question 3

Monomorphic VT

Answer 3

Commonly caused by MI

Question 4

Polymorphic VT

Answer 4

Precipitated by prolongation of the QT interval

Question 5

Example of polymorphic VT

Answer 5

Torsades de pointes

Question 6

Drug causes of prolonged QT interval

Answer 6

Amiodarone, sotalol, TCAs, fluoxetine, chloroquinine, terfenadine, erythromicin

Question 7

Electrolytes causes of prolonged QT interval

Answer 7

Hypocalcaemia, hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia

Question 8

Conditions causing prolonged QT interval

Answer 8

Acute MI, myocarditis, hypothermia, subarachboid haemorrhage

Question 9

WHen is immediate cardioversion indicated

Answer 9

Systolic BP <90, chest pain, HF

Question 10

Drug therapy for VTs

Answer 10

Amiodarone, lidocaine, procainamide

Question 11

What to do if drug therapy fails to manage VT

Answer 11

EPS, ICD