CardiologyEmergency Medicine
Ventricular Tachycardia / Fibrillation
Management of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) including defibrillation, antiarrhythmic therapy, and ICD considerations.
Source: Resuscitation Council UK ACLS; ESC 2022 Ventricular Arrhythmia Guidelines
Step 1 of ~8
question
Is There a Pulse?
Confirm rhythm on cardiac monitor or 12-lead ECG. Check central pulse simultaneously.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Drugs
- Lidocaine (IV — Anaesthesia/ICU) · Local Anaesthetic / Antiarrhythmic (Class Ib)
- Amiodarone (IV — ICU/Peri-Arrest) · Antiarrhythmic (Class III)
- Adenosine (IV — SVT Termination) · Antiarrhythmic (Adenosine Receptor Agonist)
- Insulin (IV Infusion — ICU Glucose Control) · Insulin — ICU Glucose Management
- Sodium Chloride 3% (Hypertonic Saline) · Hypertonic Electrolyte Solution — ICP/Hyponatraemia Management
- Lidocaine hydrochloride · Amide local anaesthetic / Class IB antiarrhythmic
Pathways
- Acute Heart Failure · ESC 2021 Heart Failure Guidelines; NICE NG106
- NSTEMI / Unstable Angina · ESC 2020 NSTEMI Guidelines; NICE NG185
- New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation · ESC 2020 AF Guidelines; NICE NG196
- Hypertensive Emergency · ESC/ESH 2018 Hypertension Guidelines; NICE NG136
- Bradycardia Management · Resuscitation Council UK ABCDE; ESC 2021 Pacing Guidelines
- Syncope Assessment · ESC 2018 Syncope Guidelines; NICE NG109
Decision support only. Always apply local guidelines and clinical judgement.