An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm.It may feel like fluttering or a brief pause.It may be so brief that it doesn’t change your overall heart rate. Or it can cause the heart rate to be too slow or too fast. Some arrhythmias don’t cause any symptoms. Others can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy
There are two basic kinds of arrhythmias.Bradycardia is when the heart rate is too slow — less than 60 beats per minute.Tachycardia is when the heart rate is too fast — more than 100 beats per minute.
Before treatment, it’s important for your doctor to know where an arrhythmia starts in the heart and whether it’s abnormal. An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is often used to diagnose arrhythmias. It creates a graphic record of the heart’s electrical impulses.Using a Holter monitor, exercise stress tests, tilt table test and electrophysiologic studies (“mapping” the electrical system of your heart) are other ways to find where arrhythmias start. Treatment may include:
arrhythmias types | Management | EKG Strips |
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Asystole
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Check two or more ECG leads for trace and amplitudeCommence CPR if no signs of lifeCannulateIntubateAdrenaline 1mg immediately then every 2nd cycleFollow ARC guideline for non shockable rhythms (See Appendix)Consider and correct 4 H’s and 4 T’s (see Appendix) |
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PEA is defined as any one of a heterogeneous group of organized electrocardiographic rhythms without sufficient mechanical contraction of the heart to produce a palpable pulse or measurable blood pressure. |
Commence CPR if no signs of lifeCannulateCannulateIntubateAdrenaline 1mg immediately then every 2nd cycleFollow ARC guideline for non shockable rhythms (See Appendix)Consider and correct 4 H’s and 4 T’s (see Appendix) |
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BradycardiasBradycardia is defined conservatively as a heart rate below 60 beats per minute, but symptomatic bradycardia generally entails rates below 50 beats per minuteIncludes sinus bradycardia, heart blocks,idioventricular, and junctional rhythmsHeart rate of less than 60bpmNormal p wave, QRS complex |
Only if haemodynamically unstable Signs and symptoms of inadequate perfusion include hypotension, altered mental status, signs of shock, ongoing ischaemic chest pain, and evidence of acute pulmonary oedemaAtropine 500mcg up to 3mgConsider 4H’s and 4 T’s |
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1st degree heart blockAll p waves are conductedPR interval greater than 0.20secThere is no block just a delay in conduction |
Only if haemodynamically unstableAtropine 500mcg up to 3mgConsider 4H’s and 4 T’s |
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2nd degree Heart Block
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If haemodynamically unstable;Atropine 500mcg up to 3mgAdrenaline 100mcgConsider 4H’s and 4 T’sTranscutaneous pacing |
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3rd degree Heart BlockNo P waves are conductedDisassociation between p wave and QRS complex |
If haemodynamically unstableAtropine 500mcg up to 3mg Adrenaline 100mcgConsider 4H’s and 4 T’sTranscutaneous pacing (See Appendix) |
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Junctional rhythm:p wave often absent. "buried" in the QRS complexp waves may be upside down or after the QRSAV node has intrinsic automaticity that allows it to initiate and depolarize the myocardium during periods of significant sinus bradycardia or complete heart block |
Treat underlying causeTreat symptoms as for bradycardias (See Appendix) |
arrhythmias types | Management | EKG Strips |
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Unconscious/ Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)No detectable cardiac output Wide, regular QRS complex |
Commence CPRShockCPR 2minsFollow ARC guideline for Shockable rhythms (See Appendix)Consider and correct 4H,s and 4T,s |
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Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)no detectable cardiac output asynchronous ventricular activity rapid rate and disorganised with no uniform ventricular activit |
Commence CPRShockCPR 2minsFollow ARC guideline for Shockable rhythms (See Appendix) Consider and correct 4H,s and 4T,s |
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Supraventricular Tachycardia’s (SVT)Tachycardia arising from atria or AV junctionUsed to describe fast narrow-complex tachycardiasUsually caused by a re-entry circuit returning to the atria |
ABCCannulateMonitor haemodynamics12 lead ECGTreat reversible causes (see Appendix)If haemodynamically unstable consider cardioversionRefer to tachycardia algorithm (See Appendix) |
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Rapid Atrial FibrillationRate 100- upwardsIrregular rhythmp waves fine or unable to seeHaemodynamically unstable |
ABCCannulateMonitor haemodynamics12 lead ECGTreat reversible causes (see Appendix)If haemodynamically unstable consider cardioversionRefer to tachycardia algorithm (See Appendix) |
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Conscious Ventricular TachycardiaUsually regular, rate greater than 100Wide or broad QRS complexes greaterthan 3 small squares Patient is consciousPatient has cardiac output |
ABCCannulateMonitor haemodynamics12 lead ECGTreat reversible causes (see Appendix)If haemodynamically unstable consider cardioversionRefer to tachycardia algorithm (See Appendix) |
4Hs | MANAGEMENT |
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Hypox | · Check and maintain airway · Insert Guedel, ETT, LMA, surgical airway if required · |
Hypovolaemia |
· Replace blood or fluid loss Replacement of blood with:Crystalloid/ Colloid;Blood Products
· Anaphylaxis Management of ABC Adrenaline(IMI, S/C, or MV) Hydrocortisone Correct hypovolaemia. |
Hypo/Hyperkalaemia |
Hypokalaemia · Potassium of less than 3. 5mmol/L · Replace Potassium · K 5 mmol as slow bolus IV in severe hypokalemia Hyperkalaemia · I calcium, 10 mLs 10% CaCI2, up to 3 ampoules, each over 5 minutes · hyperventilation:Co2+H2O命H2Co3H++HCo3- · 50mls 50 glucose 10 units Actrapid over 10-15 minutes · NaHCO3 to correct acidosis · Nebulised salbutamol |
Hypo/Hypothermia |
Hypothermia · Active core re-warming · Warmed humidified oxyger · Warmed intravenous fluids · Peritoneal lavage · Extracorporeal warming · Pleural lavage Hyperthermia · Cooling Blankets · Cooling packs or ice to head, axilla, chest, groin and legs · Cooled IV fluids |
4Ts | MANAGEMENT |
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Tamponade | · Pericardiocentesis
· open sternotomy wound if post cardiac surgery |
Tension Pneumothorax | Thoracocentesis
· Chest tube insertion if there is time or a large bore needle through the 2nd intercostal space in the mid-clavicular line |
Toxins/tablets |
· Antidote · Charcoal (within 1 hr of ingestion) · Supportive measures ABCDEFG |
Hypo/Hypothermia |
· Thrombolysis, embolectomy or cardiopulmonary bypass to allow operative removal of the clot |
(e.g. charge manual defibrillator)
Shockable
Non shockable
if appropriate,give oxygen,cannnulate a vein,and record a 12-lead ECG.