Educational Blog about Anesthesia, Intensive care and Pain management

Tachycardia during Anesthesia

Tachycardia during Anesthesia


Tachycardia


Definition:

-Pulse rate greater than 100 beats/min. in adults

Causes and Management:

1-Light anesthesia, Pain:

-Hypertension, sweating, lacrimation, reactive pupils, movement 

Treatment: Deepening the anesthesia, Analgesia 

2-Drug induced:

-Anticholinergic drugs, Catecholamines, Oxytocin 

3-Hypovolemia:

-Actual (due to fluid loss): 

Treatment: Fluid replacement 

-Effective (due to vasodilatation): 

Treatment: Vasopressors (α-agonists, Ephedrine) 

4-Hypercarbia:

Treatment: Check soda lime, Increase minute ventilation, and Exclude malignant hyperthermia 

5-Hypoxia:

The initial response is tachycardia 

Treatment: Of the cause

6-Cardiac dysrhythmia:

-SVT: 

Treatment: Of the cause, Carotid sinus massage, Adenosine, Verapamil, Amiodarone, Digoxin 

-VT: 

Treatment: Of the cause, Lidocaine, Amiodarone, Synchronized DC (if sustained or hemodynamically unstable) 

7-Endocrine disease:

-Pheochromocytoma, Thyrotoxic crisis 

Treatment: α-blockers, β-blockers 

8-Sepsis:

9-Malignant hyperthermia:

The first sign is tachycardia 

Treatment: According to management guidelines