Pediatric cardiac arrhythmias resulting in hemodynamic compromise.

Cardiac arrhythmias in the pediatric population generally do not result in hemodynamic compromise. There are specific scenarios, however, in which an arrhythmia poses a higher risk of deterioration in a child's overall clinical condition. To minimize this risk, clinicians must be able to recognize promptly such arrhythmias, provide rapid clinical assessment, and establish appropriate interventions to avoid cardiac arrest. This article presents a brief overview of hemodynamics in children followed by a discussion of each of the arrhythmias that have a higher-than-usual potential for resulting in hemodynamic compromise. The electrocardiographic characteristics, specific clinical interventions, and nursing implications for each of these arrhythmias also are delineated.