Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) Exam with Questions and Answers

It covers key domains which include; Electrophysiological Mechanisms, Risk Stratification and Prognostic Significance, Clinical Classification and Presentation, Diagnostic Evaluation and Therapeutic Management. A patient with NSVT associated with prolonged QT interval is at risk of progression to torsades de pointes. Which immediate pharmacological treatment is most appropriate? a. Amiodarone b. Procainamide c. Intravenous magnesium sulfate d. Lidocaine Correct Answer: c. Intravenous magnesium sulfate Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is the first-line treatment for ventricular arrhythmias associated with prolonged QT, including torsades de pointes. It stabilizes myocardial membranes and suppresses early afterdepolarizations even when serum magnesium levels are normal. Other antiarrhythmics such as amiodarone may worsen QT prolongation. A patient with dilated cardiomyopathy continues to experience symptomatic NSVT despite optimal beta-blocker therapy. Which medication is most appropriate for rhythm suppression? a. Digoxin b. Amiodarone c. Verapamil d. Adenosine Correct Answer: b. Amiodarone Rationale: Amiodarone is the most effective antiarrhythmic for suppression of recurrent ventricular tachyarrhythmias in structural heart disease when beta-blockers are insufficient. It has a relatively lower proarrhythmic risk compared with other antiarrhythmics in this population, though long-term toxicity limits its use.