How long for a rhythm to be considered 'sustained'?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Aug 7, 2014

20 seconds.

nurs1ng · Sep 23, 2014

How many beats is that usually equivalent to?

nurse4ever08 · Sep 25, 2014

Usually 4 strips.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Sep 26, 2014

How many beats is that usually equivalent to?

Depends upon how fast the rhythm is. If the rate is 300 beats/min, it would be 100 beats. If it's 30 beats/min, it would be 10.

greenerpastures · Oct 7, 2014

Our hospital has a policy that anything abnormal is considered "sustained" and needs to be reported to the MD if it's 7 beats or more.

SubSippi · Oct 7, 2014

It depends on the rhythm. I wouldn't consider 20 seconds of asymptomatic sinus tach to be alarming or sustained, especially if the patient is upset or moving around. Five full seconds of V-tach? Yes, they'll probably be getting something stat.

If you're asking this question as a student or a new grad, just keep in mind that every event is specific to that patient, and specific to that minute even. Just because it was one way for that patient yesterday doesn't mean that it applies today. You'll become more confident with using your own judgement, but until then the most important thing is make sure you notice any changes. If you're unsure, ask someone else what they would do.

Try and keep away with relying on absolute values for what is normal or abnormal, because it can get you in trouble. The answer is almost always going to be "it depends."

MunoRN, RN · Oct 7, 2014

It's completely dependent on what the rhythm is and how the patient tolerates it. When physician's orders refer to treating a rhythm only when it is "sustained", what they mean by that varies on rhythm. For symptomatic VT, "sustained" would refer to a very short period of time. For a patient in asymptomatic, rate controlled A-fib, the physician is typically referring to a time period closer to 30 minutes to call it "sustained" and to initiate orders/protocols for that rhythm.