6.14.24
Quick Review #150 - #surgery #surgeon #doctorgallagher #oralsurgery #oralsurgeon #omfs #dentist #dentistry #dental #anesthesia #ekg
1. Bradycardia (slow heart rate):
• Description: A heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute.
• Causes: Can be caused by sedation drugs, vagal stimulation, hypoxia, or underlying cardiac conditions.
• Treatment:
• Mild cases: Often resolve without treatment, monitor closely.
• Severe cases: Administer atropine (0.5 mg IV, repeat every 3-5 minutes up to a total of 3 mg) if symptomatic or the heart rate is extremely low.
• Persistent bradycardia: May require transcutaneous pacing or emergency medical services (EMS) activation.
2. Tachycardia (fast heart rate):
• Description: A heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute.
• Causes: Pain, anxiety, hypovolemia, hypoxia, or reaction to medications.
• Treatment:
• Identify and treat the underlying cause: Provide oxygen, manage pain or anxiety.
• If persistent and symptomatic: Beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol) may be administered if appropriate and no contraindications exist.
• Severe cases: Consider calling EMS if there is hemodynamic instability.
3. Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs):
• Description: Early, wide, and bizarre-looking QRS complexes.
• Causes: Hypoxia, electrolyte imbalances, drug effects.
• Treatment:
• Occasional PVCs: Often benign and require no treatment other than correcting the underlying cause.
• Frequent PVCs or runs: Ensure adequate oxygenation, correct electrolytes. If symptomatic, consider antiarrhythmic medications like amiodarone.
• If unstable: Call EMS.
4. Atrial Fibrillation (AFib):
• Description: Irregularly irregular rhythm with no discernible P waves.
• Causes: Can be triggered by stress, hypoxia, electrolyte imbalance, or underlying heart disease.
• Treatment:
• New onset or symptomatic: Administer rate control medications (e.g., beta-blockers, diltiazem).
• If unstable: Immediate cardioversion may be required. Activate EMS.
5. Ventricular Tachycardia (VT):
• Description: Regular, wide-complex tachycardia.
• Causes: Myocardial ischemia, electrolyte imbalances, drug effects.
• Treatment:
• Stable VT: Administer antiarrhythmics (e.g., amiodarone).
• Unstable VT with a pulse: Immediate synchronized cardioversion.
• Pulseless VT: Begin CPR and defibrillation, follow ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) protocols, and call EMS.
References:
1. Pohrebnyak, O. (n.d.). Schemes set of common electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities, including partial blocks and flutter [Illustration]. Alamy.
2. American Heart Association. (2020). Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Provider Manual. American Heart Association.
3. Miller, R. D., & Cohen, N. H. (2020). Miller’s Anesthesia (9th ed.). Elsevier.
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