Tachyarrhythmias and Defibrillation

Although cardiac arrhythmias less commonly cause hemodynamic compromise in children than in adults, prompt recognition and treatment of arrhythmias remain an important part of pediatric resuscitation because of the availability of specific, effective therapies. This article summarizes the 2005 American Heart Association Guidelines for Pediatric Advanced Life Support regarding tachyarrhythmias, including treatment with antiarrhythmics and direct current countershock therapy, and provides an update of recent literature since the guidelines were published.