PMID: 11899759Mar 20, 2002Paper

Wolff Parkinson White (WPW) syndrome: what the critical care nurse needs to consider when administering antiarrhythmics

Australian Critical Care : Official Journal of the Confederation of Australian Critical Care Nurses
A Evans-Murray

Abstract

This paper discusses the importance of critical care and emergency nurses having an understanding of why pre-existing cardiac disorders can influence antiarrhythmic treatment. The patient with a pre-excitation syndrome is usually managed in a coronary care unit. However, these patients may be admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with complications of Wolff Parkinson White (WPW) syndrome; for example post cardiopulmonary arrest or WPW as a co-morbidity. It is common practice in critical care areas for registered nurses to administer antiarrhythmics without a doctor's prescription in life-threatening situations. Therefore, the critical care nurse must have knowledge of the implications of administering standard antiarrhythmic agents if this patient reverts into a tachyarrhythmia. If antiarrhythmics are administered that are contraindicated in patients with WPW syndrome, then there is potential for deleterious effects. This case study highlights the different pharmacological agents for treating tachyarrhythmias in a patient with WPW syndrome. The paper outlines the correct treatment and discusses the deleterious effects of incorrect administration of drugs in WPW syndrome.

References

Jan 1, 1991·Journal of the American College of Cardiology·A AuricchioP Wenzlaff
Sep 1, 1996·Heart & Lung : the Journal of Critical Care·A W Robinson
Nov 1, 1996·Chest·R S Irwin, J G Weg
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Dec 22, 1999·The American Journal of Emergency Medicine·M H RosnerM L Martin

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Citations

Oct 22, 2004·Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners·Amy L Valderrama

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