Question

What is dysrhythmia? what happens when there are ventricular dysrhythmias? And what do we do when we see a ventricular dysthymia

Answer 1

Human heart beats at a particular rhythm and rate. The sino atrial node present in the right atrium works as the pacemaker of heart and sets the normal cardiac rhythm. The heart beats at a rate of 60-100 bpm and a regular atrial and ventricular rhythm.

When the normal rhythm of the heart is disturbed due to some structural or functional pathology the heart beat becomes irregular. This is known as cardiac dysrhythmia.

When the heart beats at a rate faster than normal it is known as tachycardia.

When the heart beats at a rate slower than normal it is called bradycardia.

Ventricular dysrhythmias are defined as abnormal cardiac rhythm caused due to disturbance in electrical activity in the ventricles.

Types of ventricular dysrhythmia are :

1. premature ventricular contraction

2. Ventricular tachycardia

3. Ventricular fibrillations

4. Ventricular asystole

Causes of venticular dysrhythmia are :

1. Heart failure

2. Myocardial ischaemia

3. Rheumatic heart disease

4. Valvular heart disease

5. Cardiomyopathy

6. Cardiac trauma

7. Electrolyte imbalance

The interventions for ventricular dysrhythmia are :

EMERGENCY CARE

1. Start with Advanced Cardiac Life Support algorithms. Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation as soon as possible. chest-compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation is recommended for ventricular dysrhythmia.

2. Maintain airway, breathing and circulation.

3. Use defibrillator. If not available, give compressions and precordial thump.

4. The drug of choice includes epinephrine, amiodarone and lidocaine.

Other interventions include treating the underlying cause, monitoring vital signs, maintaining oxygen therapy.