Arrhythmia top tips
- Call the VAD hotline early and involve transplant cardiologist early
- Non- sustained ventricular arrhythmias do not need emergency management
- Amiodarone is generally the drug of choice for arrhythmia management. This will only be needed in the stable sustained arrhythmia patient. These patients can be transferred to the VAD centre before giving amiodarone, however if you have a prolonged transfer time, you may have to give amiodarone after speaking with the VAD hotline to prevent a sustained arrhythmia causing right ventricular dysfunction.
- Cardioversion under sedation is safe preferably done in a VAD centre.