Nursebob’s MICU/CCU Survival Guide
Cardiology In Critical Care
Lethal Dysrhythmias of the Heart
28.12.05

REMEMBER - THE FIRST STEP IN ASSESSING AND TREATING ANY DYSRHYTHMIA IS TO LOOK AT THE PATIENT!

 

Many dysrhythmias may be life-threatening due to their hemodynamic effects on the patient.

Examples may include sinus tachycardia in a post-MI patient or uncontrolled atrial fibrillation in a patient with CHF. This section will deal with those dysrhythmias that are immediately lifethreatening and require immediate assessment and/or treatment regardless of the patient's underlying disease. These include:

Premature Ventricular Complexes (PVCs)

Ventricular Tachycardia

Ventricular Flutter

Ventricular fibrillation

Asystole/ventricular standstill

Sinus arrest

Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)

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