VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA
Description
Ventricular tachycardia is a type of Ventricular arrhythmia, or a rapid heart beat that arises from improper electrical activity of the heart presenting as a rapid heart rhythm. It starts in the bottom chambers of the heart, called the ventricles. This is a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia because it can cause low blood pressure and may lead to ventricular fibrillation, asystole, and sudden death.
Causes
Arrhythmias are due to problems with the electrical conduction system of the heart.
Symptoms
1. Run of three or more consecutive ventricular beats at a rate >120 beats/min.
2. If the rate of consecutive ventricular beats is >100/min, it is called accelerated idioventricular rhythm which is a benign condition, usually occurring following the thrombolytic therapy.
Diagnosis …show more content…
Treatment
Haemodynamically stable
Inj. Lidocaine 1 mg/kg IV bolus (3 ml) followed by repeated 0.5-1 mg/kg boluses at 5 min intervals up to a total of 3 mg/kg to attain desirable response followed by IV infusion 2-4 mg/min. Endotracheal or IM administration in extreme cases (300 mg).
If no effect of Lidocaine and DC conversion is not available: Inj. Procainamide 15 mg/kg loading dose followed by 2-5 mg/min maintenance infusion.
NOTE: Lidocaine (class 1B) is the drug of choice for ventricular tachycardia during acute ischaemia and myocardial infarction.
Haemodynamically unstable VT or no response to lidocaine
Synchronized DC shock starting with 50-200 Joules.
In ventricular fibrillation Unsynchronized 200 Joules followed by 360 Joules, if required.
Maintenance treatment
1. Tab. Flecainide (class 1C) 100 mg 8-12
Description
Ventricular tachycardia is a type of Ventricular arrhythmia, or a rapid heart beat that arises from improper electrical activity of the heart presenting as a rapid heart rhythm. It starts in the bottom chambers of the heart, called the ventricles. This is a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia because it can cause low blood pressure and may lead to ventricular fibrillation, asystole, and sudden death.
Causes
Arrhythmias are due to problems with the electrical conduction system of the heart.
Symptoms
1. Run of three or more consecutive ventricular beats at a rate >120 beats/min.
2. If the rate of consecutive ventricular beats is >100/min, it is called accelerated idioventricular rhythm which is a benign condition, usually occurring following the thrombolytic therapy.
Diagnosis …show more content…
Treatment
Haemodynamically stable
Inj. Lidocaine 1 mg/kg IV bolus (3 ml) followed by repeated 0.5-1 mg/kg boluses at 5 min intervals up to a total of 3 mg/kg to attain desirable response followed by IV infusion 2-4 mg/min. Endotracheal or IM administration in extreme cases (300 mg).
If no effect of Lidocaine and DC conversion is not available: Inj. Procainamide 15 mg/kg loading dose followed by 2-5 mg/min maintenance infusion.
NOTE: Lidocaine (class 1B) is the drug of choice for ventricular tachycardia during acute ischaemia and myocardial infarction.
Haemodynamically unstable VT or no response to lidocaine
Synchronized DC shock starting with 50-200 Joules.
In ventricular fibrillation Unsynchronized 200 Joules followed by 360 Joules, if required.
Maintenance treatment
1. Tab. Flecainide (class 1C) 100 mg 8-12