Critical Care Mailbag - Hypotensive SVT

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Nurses Edition Commentary

Mizuho Morrison, DO, Lisa Chavez, RN, and Kathy Garvin, RN
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Rae S. -

Would you hesitate using the phenylephrine or epinephrin push dose for someone tachycardic in Afib/Flutter, hypotensive, but also some signs of cardiac ischemia or known coronary artery disease? Do you think the benefit of improved coronary perfusion with a better pressure and slower pulse would outweigh any increase in cardiac muscle demand? Would cardioversion be preferential in this situation? Thank you.

James M. -

I think it would be a tough sell to to give epi to a patient with a heart rate of 180. Especially if they didn't listen to your pod cast.

James M. -

I don't understand the rationale for giving 2grams of calcium prior to the Diltiazem. I am not familiar with this.

Tim L., M.D. -

Hi
I understand your rational for the approach you take with the hypotensive SVT patient . I would take a simpler approach being simple minded to begin with . Start fluids but would go straight to cardioversion . Would use low dose ketamine for sedation and analgesia . Thoughts ?
Thanks
Tim LaBelle

brendan c. -

Response to James M. :
People used to give calcium with verapamil to mitigate the hypotensive effects while still providing rate control. Diltiazem is a different class of calcium channel blocker and there is less hypotension, so the calcium is not routinely used.

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