Arrhythmias Flashcards
Normal heart rate
60-100 bpm
where do electrical impulses originate
Sinoatrial node (SA)
sinus tachycardia
NSR > 100 bpm
What med can be used for sinus tachycardia in the setting of acute coronary artery syndrome
beta blockers
sinus bradycardia
NSR < 60 bpm
first line for sx or unstable sinus bradycardia – and what does it do
atropine (anticholinergic drug that decreases vagal tone)
second line for sx or unstable sinus bradycardia if unresponsive to atropine
epinephrine or transcutaneous pacing
definitive management of sinus bradycardia
permanent pacemaker
what is the most common cause of narrow QRS complex tachycardia in paroxysmal supra ventricular tachycardia
reentry - AV nodal reentry MC
paroxysmal A-fib
self-terminating within 7 days (usually < 24 hours) +/- recurrent
persistent A-fib
fails to self-terminate, lasts > 7 days. requires termination (medical or electrical)
permanent A-fib
persistent A-fib > 1 year (refractory to cardio version or cardio version never tried)
lone a-fib
paroxysmal, persistent or permanent without evidence of heart disease
risk factors for Afib
HTN
valvular heart disease
heart failure ischemia
advanced age
obstructive sleep apnea
pulmonary embolism
obesity
chronic kidney disease
electrolyte imbalance (hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia)
diabetes
hyperthyroidism
pheochromocytoma
alcohol consumption
omega-3 fatty acid use
inflammation
what percent of Afib episodes are asx
90%
sx Afib
palpitations
dizziness
fatigue
generalized weakness
poor exercise tolerance
mild dyspnea
presyncope
unstable afib
sx are due to hypo perfusion and can include significant hypotension (systolic BP in double digits)
altered mental status
refractory chest pain (uncontrolled angina or ischemia)
decompensated congestive heart failure
what can be used to diagnose afib
EKG
cardiac monitoring
what will EKG show for Afib
irregularly irregular rhythm w fibrillary waves
no discrete P waves
often atrial rate > 250 bpm
the AV nodal refractory period determines the ventricular rate
cardiac monitoring for afib
a holter monitor or telemetry can be used if afib is not seen on an EKG but is suspected
tx for stable afib
rate control - Beta blockers (metoprolol, Atenolol, esmolol) OR non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (Diltiazem, Verapamil) to slow AV node conduction
when is digoxin used in Afib
this is another option for rate control but is usually reserved for patients in whole beta blockers or CCBs are contraindicated (severe heart failure [NYHA class III or IV], hypotension)
tx for unstable afib
direct current (synchronized) cardioversion
is rate control or rhythm control preferred for long-term management of afib
rate control
long term therapy for afib
rate control
direct current (synchronized cardio version) or pharmacologic cardio version
radio frequency catheter ablation or surgical ‘MAZE’ procedure
CHA2DS2-VASc criteria for nonvalvular Afib to determine patients yearly thromboembolic risk in order to select appropriate anticoagulation regimen
in patients w AFib, what CHA2DS2-VASc score for oral anticoagulation
2 or more
when is cardio version most successful in afib
performed within 7 days after onset of Afib
what is done prior to cardio version in patients w Afib
transesophageal echocardiogram
If Afib > 48 hours — anticoagulation therapy
initiate anticoagulation therapy for at least 3 weeks before and at least 4 weeks after cardio version
If Afib < 48 hours — anticoagulation therapy
cardio version may be attempted as soon as possible often without coagulation
how long must anticoagulation be continued after cardio version in Afib
for 4 weeks after cardio version
CHA2DS2-VASc criteria
Congestive heart failure (1)
HTN (1)
Age >/= 75 (2)
DM (1)
Stroke, TIA, thrombus (2)
Vascular disease (prior MI, aortic plaque, peripheral arterial disease) (1)
Age 65-74 (1)
Sex (female) 1
recommended therapy for CHA2DS2-VASc 2 or more
moderate to high risk
chronic oral anticoagulation therapy recommended
recommended therapy for CHA2DS2-VASc 1
low risk
anticoagulation may be recommended in some cases
recommended therapy for CHA2DS2-VASc 0
no anticoagulation needed