Tachycardia

Abstract

The case illustrates the approach to the evaluation and management of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. Clinical management of this potential life-threatening arrhythmia begins with the early recognition of rhythm morphology and duration, as well as patient stability. Timely interventions with electrical cardioversion, antiarrhythmic pharmacology, and evaluation of potential etiologies such as acute ischemia, hypoxia, and electrolyte abnormalities, are vital to the care of the patient. The management key points including recognizing a change in cardiac rhythm with wide complex tachycardia, use of a cardiac monitor and appropriately placed defibrillator pads, identification of a sustained ventricular tachycardia and the need for electrical cardioversion, dosing with antiarrhymthmic medication and proper evaluation of the etiology of the ventricular tachycardia, and following with a cardiology consult and transfer to intensive care unit.