Question

Antiarrhythmic infusions to treat tachycardia with a pulse in AHA protocols includes Procainamide . What is the dose for stable wide QRS tachycardia?

a) 1.5 mg/kg/min avoid if prolonged QT
b) 100 mg over 10 minutes; repeat as needed if VT recurs. Follow by maintenance infusion of 1 to 4 mg/min; avoid if prolonged QT or CHF
c) 20 to 50 mg/min until arrhythmia suppressed; hypotension ensues, QRS duration increases >50% or maximum dose of 17 mg/kg given.
d) maintenance infusion 1-4 mg/min, avoid if prolonged QT or CHF.
e) both C and D

Answer 1

Procainamide is administered at 20 to 50 mg/min for treating stable wide QRS tachycardia until certain endpoints are reached, following which a maintenance infusion of 1 to 4 mg/min is used, avoiding use in patients with prolonged QT or CHF.

Step-by-step explanation:

The dose of Procainamide for treating stable wide QRS tachycardia according to AHA protocols is 20 to 50 mg/min until arrhythmia suppressed, hypotension ensues, QRS duration increases >50%, or a maximum dose of 17 mg/kg is given. After the initial treatment, a maintenance infusion of 1 to 4 mg/min can be given. It is important to avoid Procainamide if the patient has a prolonged QT or congestive heart failure (CHF).