Atrial fibrillation is rare in children unless they have an underlying cardiac condition (e.g., congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy).

PEA is a non-shockable rhythm and requires CPR, epinephrine, and treatment of reversible causes (H’s & T’s).

The initial pediatric defibrillation dose is 2 J/kg, increasing to 4 J/kg if needed.

If SVT is unstable (poor perfusion, hypotension, altered mental status), synchronized cardioversion (0.5-1 J/kg) is required.

PEA and asystole are the most common arrest rhythms in children due to respiratory failure or shock, while VF is rare.

In infants, SVT often exceeds 220 bpm, while in older children, it is typically >180 bpm.

Severe hyperkalemia widening the QRS complex can evolve into a sine wave pattern, leading to asystole.

Epinephrine (0.01 mg/kg IV/IO) is the first-line drug for bradycardia unless it is caused by increased vagal tone or AV block, in which case atropine is used.

Epinephrine (0.01 mg/kg IV/IO) should be given every 3-5 minutes during cardiac arrest to improve coronary and cerebral perfusion.

QT prolongation predisposes to Torsades de Pointes, a form of polymorphic VT that may require IV magnesium sulfate.

Hypoxia leads to bradycardia due to inadequate oxygenation, making oxygenation and ventilation the first priorities in treatment.

While wide QRS tachycardia suggests VT, SVT with aberrant conduction can also present with a wide QRS.

Adenosine (0.1 mg/kg IV push, max 6 mg first dose) is the preferred initial treatment for stable SVT.

Peaked T waves are one of the first ECG signs of hyperkalemia, which can progress to widened QRS and cardiac arrest if untreated.

Mobitz II can progress to complete heart block, so it often requires pacing if symptomatic.