Critical Care
The Southwest Journal of Pulmonary and Critical Care publishes articles directed to those who treat patients in the ICU, CCU and SICU including chest physicians, surgeons, pediatricians, pharmacists/pharmacologists, anesthesiologists, critical care nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Manuscripts may be either basic or clinical original investigations or review articles. Potential authors of review articles are encouraged to contact the editors before submission, however, unsolicited review articles will be considered.
January 2019 Critical Care Case of the Month: A 32-Year-Old Woman with Cardiac Arrest
Sarah A. Watkins, DO1
Geoffrey Smelski, PharmD1
Robert N.E. French, MD1
Michael Insel, MD2
Janet Campion MD2
1Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center and 2Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ USA
History of Present Illness
A 32-year-old woman with history of chronic neck pain and opioid abuse complained of dizziness and palpitations shortly before suffering a witnessed cardiac arrest in her home. She was given bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation until emergency medical services arrived on scene, at which point intermittent polymorphic ventricular tachycardia with a pulse was noted on the cardiac monitor and physical exam (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Rhythm strips showing ventricular tachycardia (A) and a prolonged QT interval (B).
Which of the following is (are) the most likely cause(s) of the cardiac arrythmia? (Click on the correct answer to be directed to the second of seven pages)
Cite as: Watkins SA, Smelski G, French RNE, Insel M, Campion J. January 2019 critical care case of the month: A 32-year-old woman with cardiac arrest. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2019;18(1):1-7. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc121-18 PDF