2012 Volume 32 Issue 4 Pages 620-623
Lifethreatening tachyarrhythmias are ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (pulseless VT), which require immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation. Other critical tacharrythmias may require synchronized cardioversion. High-energy unsynchronized shocks (defibrillation doses) are necessary for both VF and pulseless VT. Don't hesitate to apply electrodes on alternative pad positions. Self-adhesive defibrillation electrodes may be preferred for the purpose of safety. Synchronized cardioversion at 100J can be applied for regular VT. Relatively high-energy synchronized cardioversion may be applied for atrial fibrillation (Af), which appears to result in successful defibrillation. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) and atrial flutter (AF) are respond well to relatively low-energy synchronized cardioversion (50-100J).
