What are the non shockable rhythms?

Rhythms that are not amenable to shock include pulseless electrical activity (PEA) and asystole. In these cases, identifying primary causation, performing good CPR, and administering epinephrine are the only tools you have to resuscitate the patient.

Is VFIB and Vtach the same?

Vfib is rapid totally incoordinate contraction of ventricular fibers; the EKG shows chaotic electrical activity and clinically the patient has no pulse. Vtach is defined by QRS greater than or equal to . 12 secs and a rate of greater than or equal to 100 beats per minute.

Why is asystole non shockable?

Pulseless electrical activity and asystole or flatlining (3 and 4), in contrast, are non-shockable, so they don’t respond to defibrillation. These rhythms indicate that the heart muscle itself is dysfunctional; it has stopped listening to the orders to contract.

Does torsades have a pulse?

Patients with torsade may be hypotensive, have a rapid pulse and have loss of consciousness.

What is the drug of choice for ventricular tachycardia?

For the emergency treatment of sustained, hemodynamically stable ventricular tachycardia, antiarrhythmic drugs are the therapy of choice. Mostly class I antiarrhythmic drugs, such as lidocaine or ajmaline, are preferred.

What does V tach look like?

V tach is more uniform, regular in nature and is wide complex. V fib looks like little squiggly lines some complexes larger than others. Look at several pictures of rhythm strips in books. Also, don’t forget about Torsades de pointes as the treatment is a little different that vtach/ vfib !

What are the shockable cardiac rhythms?

This refers to whether a particular class of cardiac dysrhythmia is treatable using defibrillation. The two “shockable” rhythms are ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia while the two “non–shockable” rhythms are asystole and pulseless electrical activity.

What is V tach?

Ventricular Tachycardia. Definition. Ventricular tachycardia (V-tach) is a rapid heart beat that originates in one of the lower chambers (the ventricles) of the heart. To be classified as tachycardia, the heart rate is usually at least 100 beats per minute.

What are shockable rhythms ACLS?

Shockable rhythms are heart rhythms that are caused by an aberration in the heart’s electrical conduction system. One important aspect of ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) is determining the right medication or therapy to use at the appropriate time and this includes deciding when to defibrillate.