Arrhythmias Flashcards

1
Q

What is meant by ectopic beats

A

Spontaneous and rarely requires treatment
If treatment is needed then use beta blockers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is meant by AF

A

Can lead to complications such as a stroke (blood doesn’t fully eject- clotting forms)

Patients should be assessed and treated for stroke risk

Manage AF through ventricular rate control and sinus rhythm control

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is meant by ACUTE AF

A

Patients with life threatening haemodynamic instability caused by AF
- emergency electrical cardioversion without delaying to achieve anticoagulation

Patients with life threatening haemodynamic instability
- if onset AF is < 48hrs = rate or rhythm control
- if onset of AF is > 48hrs = rate control

If cardioversion (rhythm) has also been agreed on:
- pharmacological: flecanide or amiodarone
- electrical: start IV anticoagulation and rule out a left arterial thrombus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the maintenance treatment for AF

A

1)Rate control monotherapy:
- standard beta blocker (not sotalol) or
- rate limiting calcium channel blockers: diltiazem or verapamil
- digoxin (in predominantly sedentary patients with non paroxysmal AF)

2)Rate control with dual therapy
-beta blocker, RL-CCB (diltiazem only) or digoxin

3) rhythm control
- sinus rhythm can be restored by electrical or pharmacological cardioversion
— pharmacological: antiarrhythmic drugs such as flecanide/ amiodarone

If Af is still present >48 hours, electro cardioversion is preferred although there is a risk of clotting therefore:
-patient must be fully anticoagulated for at least 3 weeks
-give oral anticoagulation- continued for at least 4 weeks after cardioversion

Drug treatment may be required post cardioversion
-standard beta blocker
-sotalol, propafenone, amiodarone or flecanide (SPAF)
— amiodarone can be started 4 weeks before and continuing for up to 12 months after electrical cardio version to increase success of the procedure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How do you treat paroxysmal AF

A

Ventricular rhythm is controlled with a standard beta blocker

  • if symptoms persists or a beta blocker is not appropriate
    Sotalol, propafenone, amiodarone or flecanide (SPAF)

-patients with episodes of symptomatic paroxysmal AF
-sinus rhythm can be restored using the pill in the pocket approach
-patients take oral flecanide/ propafenone when required on symptoms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What do we have to treat when dealing with AF

A

Clots

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the stroke prevention strategy

A

Assess all patients for risk of stroke nd need for thomboprophylaxsis
Use the CHA2DS2-VASc assessessment tool for stroke risk
Maximum score is 9

C congestive heart failure. 1
H hypertension 1
A2 age= 75+. 2
D diabetes 1
S2 stroke/TIA. 2
V vascular disease 1
A age 65-74. 1
Sc sex= female 1

Thromboprophylaxsis is not needed if:
Men score= 0
Women with score of 1

Thromboprphylaxsis: warfarin or NOACs in non vascular AF

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How do you treat atrial flutter

A

Aim to treat with rhythm or rate control- however atrial flutter reacts less effectively to drug treatment

Rate control is normally temporary until sinus rhythm is restored
- similar rate control drugs: beta blockers to RL-CCB

Rhythm control can be restored with wither
-direct current cardio version- when rapid control is needed (haemodynamic compromise)
-pharmacological cardioversion
-catheter ablation- recurrent atrial flutter

Assess patient for stroke risk

Still need to ensure that the patient is anti-coagulated for 3 weeks if flutter has lasted longer than 48hrs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How do you treat paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia

A

1) terminate spontaneously alone

2) reflex vagaries stimulation
- valsalva manoeuvre/ immerse face in ice cold water/ carotid sinus massage
-such manoeuvre should be performed with ECG monitoring

3) IV adenosine
4) IV verapamil

  • treat recurrent symptoms with Catheter ablation
  • prevent future episodes with beta blockers or RL-CCB
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How do you treat ventricular tachycardia

A

Puleless venticylar tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation = resuscitation

Unstable unsustained ventricular tachycardia
-direct current cardioversion- Iv amiodarone - repeat current cardioversion

Stable ventricular tachycardia
-IV amiodarone- direct current cardioversion
-non-sustained ( doesn’t last long) ventricular tachycardia = beta blocker

Patients at high risk of cardiac arrest require maintenance therapy
-implantable cardioverter defibrillator
- can add b-blockers/amiodarone (in combination with standard b-blocker)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How do you treat Torsade de pointes (QT prolongation)

A

Can be drug induced or caused by hypokalaemia and severe bradycardia
- drugs such as amiodarone, sotalol, macrolides, haloperidol, SSRIs, TCAs and antifungals

Usually self limiting but can be recurrent- leads to impaired consciousness

If not controlled- ventricular fibrillation and then death

Treat with IV magnesium sulphate
Beta blockers (not sotalol) and atrial/ventricular pacing may be considered

Antiarrhythmics - prolong QT interval - worsen condition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the different classes of anti-arrhythmic drugs

A

Classified clinically into acting on: supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias or both

Classified in accordance of their electrical behaviour:
Class 1: membrane stabilising drugs (lidocaine, flecanide)
Class 2: beta blockers
Class 3: amiodarone and sotalol
Class 4: CCB (verapamil and diltiazem not -pines)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the side effects of amiodarone

A

Avoid in bradycardia and heart block

Corneal micro deposits
-reversible when treatment ends- if vision is impaired then stop

Thyroid problems
- can cause hypo or hyperthyroidism due to iodine content

Photosensitivity reactions
Avoid sunlight exposure and use sunscreen for months after treatment ends

Hepatotoxicity
Stop if pt is showing signs of liver disease (dark urine, yellow skin, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting light stools)

Pulmonary toxicity
Report in cases of new/progressive SOB or coughs

Driving and skilled tasks
Micro deposits may lead to blurred vision

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the loading dose regimen for amiodarone

A

200mg TDS for 7 days
200mg BD for 7 days
200mg OD maintenance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the interactions of amiodarone

A

Very long half life- potential for interactions after several weeks or months

Drugs that cause hypokalaemia

Drugs that cause QT prolongation

CYP450 enzyme substrates (amiodarone = inhibitor
-other enzyme inhibitors (grapefruit ) and inducers will affect amiodarone
Such as warfarin contraceptive statins etc

Drugs that can cause bradycardia
-beta blockers or RL-CCB

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What do you do with the dose of digoxin when a patient is also on amiodarone

A

Half the dose

17
Q

What are the monitoring requirements of amiodarone

A

Thyroid function test: before treatment then every 6 month
Liver function tests: before treatment and then every 6 months
Serum potassium concentration: before treatment
Chest x-ray: before treatment
Annual eye examination

IV use: ECG and liver transaminase

Patients who have stopped amiodarone within the last few mobnths and need to start on sofosbuvir and daclatasvir, simeprevir and sofosbuvir or sofosbuvir and ledipasvir should be monitored- risk of severe heart block

18
Q

What is the therapeutic window of digoxin

A

0.7-2ng/ml

19
Q

What is the maintenance dose of AF in digoxin

A

125-250mcg OD

20
Q

What is the toxic levels and the signs of toxicity in digoxin

A

1.5-3ng/ml
Treated with digoxin specific antibody

Signs includes
SA/AV block and bradycardia
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Dizziness, confusion and depression
Blurred or yellow vision

21
Q

How often do you take blood samples when you are on digoxin

A

6-12 hours after first dose

22
Q

What monitoring is required when a patient is on digoxin

A

Serum electrolytes and renal function

23
Q

What are the interactions of digoxin

A

Beta blockers: increases the risk of of AV block and increases plasma concentration

TCAs: can induce arrhythmia

Drugs that can cause hypokalaemia: increases the risk of digoxin toxicity

CYP450 enzyme inducers : reduces plasma concentration

CYP450 enzyme inhibitors: increases plasma concentration