For a patient with monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT), which treatment is preferred for acute termination?

Study for the Board Certified Cardiology Pharmacist Exam. Utilize flashcards and answer multiple-choice questions with detailed explanations. Prepare efficiently for your certification!

The preferred treatment for acute termination of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) is procainamide administered as a continuous infusion. Procainamide is a class 1A antiarrhythmic agent that works by blocking sodium channels, leading to a reduction in excitability and conduction velocity within cardiac tissues. This makes it particularly effective for the management of monomorphic VT, as it can help normalize the cardiac rhythm.

Procainamide not only helps in terminating VT but also can prevent its recurrence by addressing the underlying reentrant mechanism that often characterizes this arrhythmia. The intravenous route allows for rapid action in acute settings, making it suitable for emergency use. The continuous infusion provides sustained drug levels, which is particularly valuable in maintaining therapeutic effects during ongoing arrhythmia situations.

In contrast, although intravenous amiodarone, lidocaine, and sotalol may be used in various arrhythmia situations, they are not the first-line agents for monomorphic VT termination. Amiodarone is a broad-spectrum antiarrhythmic with multiple mechanisms, but it is not specifically indicated for monomorphic VT in acute settings. Lidocaine is generally more effective for ventricular ectopy and is primarily used in cases of polymorphic VT or ventricular

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