What are the antiarrhythmic drugs to consider for persistent VF pulseless?

If pulseless VT or VF persist, antiarrhythmic medications may be considered. These include lidocaine and amiodarone. Amiodarone is preferred as a 300 mg dose and causes prolongation of cardiac action potentials and refractory period.

What drug is given for pulseless ventricular tachycardia?

In cases of shock-resistant pulseless VT, the use of antiarrhythmic medications may be considered. IV amiodarone is the drug of choice.

What are the two main ACLS medications used for ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia?

Lidocaine. Lidocaine is an antiarrhythmic that can also be used and is considered equivalent to amiodarone in the treatment of ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia.

How can you tell the difference between VT and VF?

The difference between the two is that in ventricular tachycardia, the lower chambers of the heart are beating much faster than they should but the overall process is happening in the right order. In ventricular fibrillation, the heart’s beating process isn’t happening in the right order.

Is pulseless ventricular tachycardia shockable?

VF and pulseless VT are both shockable rhythms. The AED cannot tell if the individual has a pulse or not.

Is VF always pulseless?

Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib or VF) is an abnormal heart rhythm in which the ventricles of the heart quiver. It is due to disorganized electrical activity. Ventricular fibrillation results in cardiac arrest with loss of consciousness and no pulse.

Is ventricular fibrillation pulseless?

Ventricular fibrillation, pulseless electrical activity and sudden cardiac arrest.

Is pulseless ventricular tachycardia a shockable rhythm?

VF and pulseless VT are shockable rhythms and treated in similar fashion. Asystole and PEA are also included in the cardiac arrest algorithm but are non-shockable rhythms. Ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia are treated using the left branch of the cardiac arrest arrest algorithm.

Which vasopressors are used to treat VF/pulseless VT?

The vasopressor that is used for the treatment of VF/Pulseless VT is epinephrine. Epinephrine is primarily used for its vasoconstrictive effects. Vasoconstriction is important during CPR because it will help increase blood flow to the brain and heart.

Should vasopressors be used in sudden cardiac arrest management?

The AHA recently released revised guidelines for CPR and emergency cardiovascular care. The consensus was that vasopressors should remain a part of pulseless sudden cardiac arrest management, with epinephrine 1 mg every 3-5 minutes being the recommended adrenergic of choice.

What is a vasopressor used for?

A vasopressor is a medication that produces vasoconstriction and a rise in blood pressure. The vasopressor that is used for the treatment of VF/Pulseless VT is epinephrine. Epinephrine is primarily used for its vasoconstrictive effects.

What is the best medication for VF and useless VT?

VF and Pulseless VT Medications. Vasopressors. A vasopressor is a medication that produces vasoconstriction and a rise in blood pressure. The vasopressor that is used for the treatment of VF/Pulseless VT is epinephrine.