Pulseless ventricular tachycardia requires

Pulseless ventricular tachycardia requires

• A. CPR, defibrillate (300-360 joules), epinephrine, amiodarone
• B. Immediate CPR and defibrillation only
• C. Atropine administration
• D. Observation

Answer: (A)

Pulseless ventricular tachycardia is a life-threatening, shockable rhythm, so the priority is to terminate the rhythm and restore perfusion as quickly as possible. Defibrillation is the treatment of choice, delivered at the recommended energy (300–360 joules) to interrupt the abnormal electrical activity. While performing defibrillation, high-quality CPR maintains blood flow to organs. After or between shocks, giving epinephrine helps improve coronary and cerebral perfusion during CPR, increasing the chance of ultimately achieving a return of spontaneous circulation. Amiodarone is a preferred antiarrhythmic to help prevent recurrence of the ventricular tachycardia/VF after shocks. Atropine is not indicated for pulseless VT, and observation alone would not treat a patient with no pulse.

Pulseless ventricular tachycardia is a life-threatening, shockable rhythm, so the priority is to terminate the rhythm and restore perfusion as quickly as possible. Defibrillation is the treatment of choice, delivered at the recommended energy (300–360 joules) to interrupt the abnormal electrical activity. While performing defibrillation, high-quality CPR maintains blood flow to organs. After or between shocks, giving epinephrine helps improve coronary and cerebral perfusion during CPR, increasing the chance of ultimately achieving a return of spontaneous circulation. Amiodarone is a preferred antiarrhythmic to help prevent recurrence of the ventricular tachycardia/VF after shocks. Atropine is not indicated for pulseless VT, and observation alone would not treat a patient with no pulse.