Abnormal EKG Flashcards
What leads go with the lateral, anterior, septal, and posterior part of the heart?
Lateral: I, aVL, V5, V6
Anterior: V3, V4
Septal: V1, V2
Inferior: II, III, aVF
You see a EKG with a normal looking rhythm, and you notice there is a P wave for every QRS and a T wave is present. What is the rhythm?
Normal sinus
What is sinus arrhythmia?
THe QRS complexes are not equidistant from each other.
Will have some variability because when we breathe in our HR increases and when we breathe out our HR decreases. But too much variability is a bad thing
Who has sinus bradycardia and what are the symptoms?
Normal in athletes, beta blockers cause this, decreased function of the SA node causes this.
Asymptomatic unless pathological condition exists (presence of 2 or 3 degree heart block)
Dizziness, syncope, angina
T/F: low blood flow is a risk factor for dementia or Alzheimer’s?
True
What are causes of sinus tachycardia?
Fear Anxiety Caffeine Nicotine Amphetamines Demands of O2 are higher (exercise, infection, MI, hemorrhage)
What are causes and symptoms of sinus tach?
Generally benign
SA node automaticity increased
Patients asymptomatic
T/F: PAC is a block in the conduction of impulse from SA node to atria?
False: sinus exit block
On an EKG you see a normal rate (~70) and you notice that after a T wave there is a pause equal to 2 complete cardiac cycles before the next P wave. What is the rhythm?
Sinus exit block
Do patient with sinus exit block have symptoms?
These blocks are less than a second so they are usually asymptomatic. BUT if they complain of SOA or other symptoms you may need to contact someone
What are causes of PAC? Symptoms? Possible consequences?
Causes: emotional stress, nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, infection, hypoxemia, MI, atrial damage
Symptoms: asymptomatic and if frequency is low no treatment required and pt should be able to participate in activity
If frequency increases a tach or a fib may result.
What is a rhythm where the P wave comes quick after the T wave and is a little more peaked?
Premature atrial contraction: ectopic focus in either atria initiates an impulse before the next impulse initiated by the SA node
What are some causes for atrial tachycardia?
PAC, pulmonary HTN, altered pH, COPD
What are symptoms of a tach?
Q compromised if prolonged: dizziness, fatigue, SOB
What does a tach look like on an EKG?
R-R very close together.
HR may be 100-200 bpm
Hard to make out P wave (blends with T)
What are causes of A flutter?
Mitral valve disease, CAD, infarction, stress, renal failure, pericarditis, rheumatic heart disease, MI
What are symptoms of A flutter?
Unless ventricular rate becomes too high Q is not compromised.
So patients are asymptomatic.
In their chart you may see: uncontrolled, controlled, with symptoms, w/o symptoms (uncontrolled means R waves are coming faster and rate is not as normal)
What are characteristics of A flutter?
Saw tooth P waves
R-R interval is normal
What’s happening is there is a rapid firing of ectopic source in atria and the AV node is blocking the signal from getting to the ventricles.
What is A fib?
Erratic quivering of atria: multiple ectopic foci, no true depolarization, AV node acts to control ventricles
What are causes of A fib?
Advanced age, CHF, ischemia or infarction, cardiomyopathy, digoxin toxicity, drug use, stress/pain, renal failure
WHat are consequences of Afib?
puts patient at risk for stroke because blood is sitting in the atria and it gets sticky and clotted. The clot will be at risk for moving and traveling to the brain