Relevant physical examination findings to look for include signs of Congestive heart failure (e.g.,pulsus alternans, elevated JVP, S3 gallop),apical systolic ejection murmur of MVP, Quick rise pulse and systolic ejection murmur of HOCM, and slow delayed carotid artery pulse along with harsh, late peaking systolic ejection murmur of valvular Aortic stenosis. The ECG can also provide important diagnostic information. Specific abnormalities to look for include ST elevation and new Q waves of acute trans-mural Myocardial infarction, ST segment depression and T wave inversion of non ST elevation MI,a prolonged QT interval (long QT syndrome), a short PR interval and delta wave (WPW syndrome), and a RBBB morphology with ST elevation in precordial leads V1-V2(brugada syndrome). The chest x-ray can be helpful in the evaluation of cardiac size and confirming the presence of CHF. The presence of intracardiac calcification may be helpfull in the diagnosis of valvular heart disease (e.g.,AS) or an LV aneurysm. Read more about ECG and Chest Xray findings and High Blood Pressure Symptoms on this website.
The algorithms that follow provide an overview of the approach to the patient with potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias including ventricular fibrillation, pulse-less ventricular tacycardia, pulseless electrical activity, asystole, bradycardia with pulses as well as shock. The content of these protocols is based on the most recent guidelines on advanced cardiac life support extablished by the American Heart Association and the Emergency Cardiac care Committee.