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TACHYCARDIA
Regular Narrow Complex Tachycardia
(probable SVT)
- Obtain 12-lead ECG
- consider expert consultation
- Attempt vagal maneuvers
- Adenosine 6 mg rapid IV push
- If no conversion, give up to two more doses at 12 mg each
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TACHYCARDIA
Irregular Narrow Complex Tachycardia
(probable A-Fib)
- Obtain 12-lead ECG
- Consider expert consultation
- Control rate with Diltiazem or β-blockers.
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TACHYCARDIA
Regular Wide Complex Tachycardia
(probable V-Tach)
- Obtain 12-lead ECG
- Consider expert consultation
- Convert rhythm using Amiodarone – 150 mg over 10 minutes
- Elective cardioversion.
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TACHYCARDIA
Irregular Wide Complex Tachycardia
- Obtain 12-lead ECG
- Consider expert consultation
- Consider antiarrhythmics
- If Torsades de pointes, give Magnesium Sulfate – 1 to 2 g over 5-60 minutes.
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VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION
PULSELESS VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA
- CPR – start immediately. Push hard and push fast.
- Shock – analyze rhythm, and shock if in VF/pulseless VT.
- CPR – resume CPR immediately (5 cycles / 2" )
- Epi 1 mg q 3-5 min. Give as soon as possible after resuming CPR
- Shock – analyze rhythm, and shock if in VF/pulseless VT.
- CPR – Continue for 5 cycles / 2 minutes.
- Lidocaine 1-1.5 mg/kg up to 3 mg/kg.
- Shock – analyze rhythm, and shock if in VF/pulseless VT.
- CPR – resume CPR immediately after shock delivery. Continue for 5 cycles / 2 minutes.
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VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION
PULSELESS VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA
(Notes)
Minimize interruptions to chest compressions – do not check a pulse or evaluate the heartrhythm after a shock. After each shock, resume CPR immediately and continue for 5 cycles prior torhythm analysis and possible pulse check. After a second dose of Epinephrine, a second antiarrhythmic dose (Amiodarone 150 mg or Lidocaine 0.5 – 0.75 mg/kg) may given after the next rhythm check.
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PULSELESS ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY
(PEA)
- Possible causes (consider the 6 H’s and 5 T’s).
- Epinephrine 1 mg q 3-5 min (can replace 1st or 2nd dose of Epi with 40 units Vasopressin).
- Atropine, 1mg IV/IO q 3-5 min to max 3mg (only if electrical rate is < 60)
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PULSELESS ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY
(PEA - Notes)
In PEA, the electrical system of the heart is functioning, but there is a problem with the pump,pipes, or volume – a mechanical part of the system is not working. You can use the 6 H’s and 5 T’s toremember the most common reversible causes of PEA:
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6 (Six) "H"s
- Hypovolemia
- Hypoxia
- Hypo-/Hyperkalemia
- Hypoglycemia
- Hydrogen Ion (acidosis)
- Hypothermia
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5 (Five) "T"s
- Tamponade, cardiac
- Toxins
- Tension Pneumothorax
- Trauma
- Thrombosis (coronary or pulmonary)
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ASYSTOLE
- Determine whether to initiate resuscitation.
- Epinephrine 1 mg q 3-5 min
- Atropine, 1mg IV/IO q 3-5 min to max 3mg
- Differential Diagnosis or Discontinue resuscitation – Are they still dead?
Consider the 6 H’s and 5 T’s (see above) – check blood glucose; check core temperature; consider Naloxone; etc.
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Synchronized Cardioversion
(Notes)
Synchronized cardioversion is the preferred treatment for unstable patients with a tachycardia such as Atrial Fibrillation, V-Tach with a pulse, or Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT). The shock is timed by the monitor to be delivered in coordination with the QRS complex of the heart. If the patient is conscious, consider sedation prior to cardioversion; however, synchronized cardioversion should not be delayed while waiting for sedation in severely symptomatic patients.
With a biphasic monitor, dosage and steps are device-dependent; if optimal doses are unknown, begin at 100 J and step up from there.
(With a monophasic monitor, the initial shock is delivered at 100 J; if the rhythm does not terminate, deliver additional shocks in stepwise fashion (200J, 300J, and 360J for subsequent shocks).
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Transcutaneous Pacing
(TCP)
(Notes)
External cardiac pacing is the recommended treatment for symptomatic bradycardias. If the patient is conscious, consider sedation; however, pacing should not be delayed while waiting for sedation. Begin pacing at zero milliamps, slowly increasing until capture is achieved. Then, set the rate at 20 beats per minute above the monitored heart rate, with a minimum rate of 50 bpm.
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Normal Sinus Rhythm
- Rhythm: regular
- Rate: 60-80
- P Waves: (normal)
- PR Interval: (normal) .12-.20
- QRS: (normal) .12 (or less)
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Sinus Tach
- Rhythm: Regular
- Rate: 100-160
- P Waves: (normal)
- PR Interval: (normal) .12-.20
- QRS: (normal) .12 (or less)
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Supraventricular Tach
(SVT)
- Rhythm: Regular (Runs may be irregular)
- Rate: 150-250
- P Waves: often pointed, hidden in preceding T wave
- PR Interval:
- QRS: (normal) .12 (or less)
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Atrial Fibrillation
(A-Fib)
- Rhythm: irregular
- P Rate: 350+
- QRS Rate: varies
- P Waves: no
- PR Interval: none
- QRS: (normal) .12 (or less)
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Atrial Flutter
- Rhythm: regular or irregular
- P Rate: 250-400
- QRS Rate: varies
- P Waves: V-shaped, Sawtooth, flutter (F-waves)
- PR Interval: no
- QRS: (normal) .12 (or less)
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Sinus Brady
- Rhythm: regular
- Rate: 40-60
- P Waves: (normal)
- PR Interval: (normal)
- QRS: (normal) .12 (or less)
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Junctional Escape
- Rhythm: regular
- Rate: 40-60
- P Waves: usually inverted, may be before, after, or hidden in QRS
- PR Interval: .10 or less
- QRS: (normal) .12 (or less)
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1st Degree A-V Block
- Rhythm: regular
- Rate: ~
- P Waves: normal
- PR Interval: prolonged, > .20, constant
- QRS: (normal) .12 (or less)
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2nd Degree A-V Block
Type I
- Rhythm: regular (may be irregularly regular)
- Rate: V rate less than A rate
- P Waves: Normal, 1:1, until dropped
- PR Interval: progressively lengthens until dropped
- QRS: (normal) .12 (or less)
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2nd Degree A-V Block
Type II
- Rhythm: irregular (can be irregularly regular)
- Rate: V rate < A rate
- P Waves: Normal, but some not followed by QRS
- PR Interval: Normal or prolonged, but constant
- QRS: Normal or wide
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3rd Degree A-V Block
- Rhythm: A & V are regular, but disassociated
- A Rate: 60-100
- V Rate: 20-40
- P Waves: usually normal, but no relation to QRS
- PR Interval: n/a
- QRS: Can be normal, but usually > .12
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PVC
- Rhythm:
- Rate:
- P Waves:
- PR Interval:
- QRS:
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PJC
- Rhythm:
- Rate:
- P Waves:
- PR Interval:
- QRS:
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Idioventricular
(Ventricular Escape)
- Rhythm:
- Rate:
- P Waves:
- PR Interval:
- QRS:
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Ventricular Tachycardia
(V-Tach)
- Rhythm: Usually Regular
- Rate: >100 (usually 140-250)
- P Waves: hidden
- PR Interval: n/a
- QRS: >.12 and/or bizzare
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Torsades de Pointes
- Rhythm: Usually Regular
- Rate: >100 (usually 140-250)
- P Waves: hidden
- PR Interval: n/a
- QRS: >.12 and/or bizzare
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