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p 10 - nopainnogain
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02-27-2008, 08:54 PM
10. A 42-year-old female presents to the Emergency Room complaining of shortness of breath and palpitations. An electrocardiogram shows the above tracing. Appropriate management at this time includes:
A) Epinephrine B) Metoprolol C) Nitroglycerin D) Adenosine E) Lidocaine
02-27-2008, 08:55 PM
02-27-2008, 09:31 PM
10. The answer is D. (Adenosine) The most important step to make when a narrow QRS tachycardia is noted is whether the patient is experiencing signs and symptoms related to the rapid heart rate. These symptoms include hypotension, shortness of breath, shock, decreased level of consciousness, or chest pain suggestive of coronary ischemia. Determining whether a patient's symptoms are related to the tachycardia depends on several factors, including age and the presence of underlying cardiac disease. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) with a heart rate of 200 bpm may be tolerated by a healthy young adult with no or few symptoms (e.g., palpitations). However, a heart rate of 120 bpm may precipitate angina in an elderly patient with significant coronary heart disease. Adenosine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States only for the intravenous management of PSVT in which the AV node is involved. For intravenous adenosine administration, the patient should be supine and should have electrocardiographic and blood pressure monitoring. The drug is administered by rapid intravenous injection over one to two seconds at a peripheral site, followed by a normal saline flush. The usual initial dose is 6 mg, with a maximal single dose of 12 mg. The most common side effects of adenosine are facial flushing (18%), palpitations, chest pain, and hypotension. Transient asystole is a rare complication. Another important side effect of adenosine is that it may precipitate atrial fibrillation (AF). In patients with Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW), AF can progress into ventricular fibrillation. As a result, caution should be used when giving adenosine if WPW is a possible mechanism, and emergency resuscitation equipment should be available.
Arnsdorf MF, Ganz LI. Approach to narrow QRS complex tachycardias. Up to Date, version 14.1. Accessed 5/1/06. |
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