Page 97 - Critical Care Notes

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Symptoms
■ Chest pain
■ SOB
■ Altered mental status
■ Signs of ↓ CO: dizziness, weakness, low BP
Treatment Considerations
■ Atropine
■ Epinephrine
■ Isoproterenol (Isuprel)
■ Pacemaker
■ Dopamine if hypotensive
Tachycardia

Tachycardia is defined as a heart rate greater than 100 bpm. ↑↑ HR can com-
promise cardiac output (CO) by ↓ ventricular filling →↓ SV →↓ CO → ↑ work-
load of the heart → ↑ O 2 consumption.
Causes
■ Bronchodilators
■ Caffeine
■ Nicotine
■ Pain
■ Fever
■ Pulmonary embolism
■ Hypoxia
■ Heart failure
■ Stress
■ Anxiety
Symptoms
■ Altered LOC
■ Chest pain or discomfort
■ Palpitations
■ SOB
■ Diaphoresis
■ Hypotension
■ Jugular venous distention
Treatment Considerations
■ Carotid massage
■ Valsalva maneuver
■ Cardiovert at 100–360 J

CV