Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Synchronized cardioversion is the primary treatment for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in an unstable patient because it allows for the immediate restoration of a normal heart rhythm while ensuring the safety of the patient. In situations where the patient is unstable, typically indicated by signs such as significant hypotension, altered mental status, severe chest pain, or signs of heart failure, it is crucial to intervene quickly to prevent serious complications.

Synchronized cardioversion delivers a controlled electrical shock to the heart at a specific point in the cardiac cycle, which minimizes the risk of inducing ventricular fibrillation, a dangerous arrhythmia. This method is effective in quickly reverting the heart to a normal sinus rhythm, thus restoring adequate blood flow and improving the patient's condition.

In contrast, other approaches like medication therapy, vagal maneuvers, and pacemaker implementation are more appropriate for stable patients or situations where immediate intervention is not critical. While medication may be useful in certain scenarios, it often requires time to take effect and may not provide the immediate resolution needed in unstable patients. Vagal maneuvers can also be effective in stable patients with SVT but are not suitable for those who are unstable. Likewise, implantation of a pacemaker is generally a