Managing CV Complications

Question 1

Give three causes of bradycardia

Answer 1

• Drugs e.g. opioids, alpha 2 ags
• Hypoxia
• Excessive vagal tone (caused by tracheal/laryngeal stimulation)

Question 2

Describe three ways in which you would deal with bradycardias

Answer 2

• Anticholinergics
• Ionotropes
• Pacemaker

Question 3

Give three causes of tachycardia

Answer 3

• Sympathetic stimulation
• High PaCO2
• Drugs e.g. anticholinergic and neuromuscular blocking drug

Question 4

Give three treatments of tachycardia

Answer 4

• Opioid/lidocaine
• Propranolol quinidine
• Cats = propranolol tesmolol

Question 5

Give three causes of ectopic beats

Answer 5

Circulating catecholamines due to severe organ disease
Hypoxia/hypercapnia
Anaesthetic drugs

Question 6

Give three reasons that hypotension may occur

Answer 6

• Low blood pressure
• Wrong size cuff
• Problems with transducer positioning (should be level with the heart)

Question 7

Give three treatments for Hypotension

Answer 7

Reduce volatile agent (TIVA/PIVA)

Increase intra venous fluid therapy (IVFT)

Question 8

Describe electrical alternans

Answer 8

Varibility in height of the R wave due to movement of heart in excess fluid of the pericardium = axis change