04b: Arrhythmia Flashcards
Lifetime risk of developing A-fib in men and women at age 40 is (X)% and (Y)%, respectively.
X = 26 Y = 23
List the RFs for development of A-fib.
- Age
- HT
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Low HDL
T/F: There are familial cases of A-fib, with an increasing number of genetic mutations identified.
True
Patient has had 3 episodes of AF. All lasted 5 days and stopped. Which category AF does she have?
Paroxysmal AF (2 or more episodes that terminate spontaneously within a week)
(X) AF is persistent AF lasting longer than 7 days. And (Y) is continuous AF lasting longer than 12 months.
X = persistent Y = longstanding persistent
What’s the difference between “longstanding persistent” AF and permanent AF?
Permanent AF refers to case in which either attempts to restore sinus rhythm have failed or decision has been made not to restore sinus rhythm
Highest relative risk of having thromboembolism in A-fib is if patient has (X) risk factor.
X = prior stroke/TIA
RR = 2.5
A-fib (X) risk score. What are the factors listed?
X = CHA(2)DS(2)VASc
- CHF or EF under 40%
- HT
- Age (65-75 or over 75)
- Diabetes
- Stroke (previous)
- Vascular disease
- Female
Which RFs on A-fib CHA(2)DS(2)VASc risk score deserve 2 points?
- Age over 75
2. Prior stroke
List the three mechanisms by which A-fib can be caused.
- Multiple random propagating wavelets
- Focal triggers
- Localized reentrant activity
(Slow/fast) atrial conduction, (short/long) refractory period, and (small/large) atria promote/perpetuate A-fib.
Slow, short, large
When AF is maintained for as little as (X) hours/days/months, cell level changes (atrial remodeling) promote electrical (reentry/triggers).
X = 24 hours
Both reentry and electrical triggers
AF therapy focuses on which two aspects?
- Stroke prevention
2. Symptom control
Deciding which stroke-prevention therapy to pursue with AF patient depends on (X).
X = CHA(2)DS(2)VASc risk score
Patients with AF should be on warfarin if CHA(2)DS(2)VASc score is (X). What is the other option for stroke-prevention meds?
X = 2 or higher
Aspirin if score less than 2
Treating AF symptoms is done by (rate/rhythm) control.
Either or
Rhythm control of AF is done by (X) therapies.
X = DC cardioversion and ablation
Rate control of AF is done by (X) therapies.
X = drug (B-blockers, CCBs, digoxin)
T/F: The risk of stroke is altered by rhythm control strategy.
False
T/F: Neither duration nor frequency of AF are factors attributed to stroke risk.
True
AF: Atrial remodeling promotes reentry by altering which key things?
- Shortening refractory period
- Slowing conduction (impaired connexins, fibrosis)
- Enlarging pathological space
List the three mechanisms of arrhythmogenesis.
- Enhanced automaticity
- Triggered activity
- Reentry
Arrhythmogenesis: what is the mechanism behind ‘enhanced automaticity’?
Increase in slope of Phase 4 depolarization (largely dependent on funny current, If)
Arrhythmogenesis: abnormal ‘triggered activity’ is a result of (X) states, such as in patients who are:
X = Ca-overloaded
Exercising, stressed, or have HF
List the two types of ‘triggered activity’ that can lead to arrhythmias. What differs between them?
- Delayed afterdepolarization (DAD) (during Phase 4)
2. Early afterdepolarization (EAD) (during Phase 2 or 3)**LETHAL
(X) arrhythmic state appears to be the initiating mechanism of the polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, torsades de pointes.
X = EAD (Early afterdepolarization)
Reentry: When conduction block occurs because a propagating impulse encounters (X), the block is said to be “functional”.
X = refractory cardiac cells
Reentry: When conduction block is caused by impulse encountering (X), the block is said to be “fixed”.
X = barrier imposed by fibrosis or scarring (that replaces myocytes)
Class I antiarrhythmic drugs (stimulate/block) (X).
Block
X = Na channels