A 62-year-old man on ICU develops a new broad-complex tachycardia at 155 bpm. He is conscious with BP 105/70 mmHg. The registrar is unsure whether thi...

Question

A 62-year-old man on ICU develops a new broad-complex tachycardia at 155 bpm. He is conscious with BP 105/70 mmHg. The registrar is unsure whether this is ventricular tachycardia (VT) or supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with aberrant conduction. According to the Resuscitation Council UK guidance, what is the safest default approach?

Accepted Answer

Treat as VT - IV amiodarone 300 mg over 20-60 minutes

Answer

Assume SVT and give IV adenosine 6 mg

Answer

Assume SVT and give IV verapamil 5 mg

Answer

Perform carotid sinus massage

Answer

Observe and monitor as the patient is haemodynamically stable

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Broad-Complex Tachycardia