Arrhythmias Flashcards
What is an arrhythmia
An abnormal heart rhythm
Define supraventricular
above the ventricle
Ventricular
In the ventricle
What is the order of conduction through the heart?
SA node, AV node, down the bundle of his, the left and righ bunde branches, Purkinje fibres
What is an ectopic beat
Beats or rhythms that originate in palces other than the SA node
What might the ectopic focus cause
single beats or take over the pace of the heart, dictating the entire rhythm
Are ectopic beats always dangerous
No - they always affect the CO though
Name 3 types of supraventricular tachycardia
Atrial flutter, Atrial fibrillation and ectopic atrial tachycardia
Name 2 types of bradycardia
Sinus bradycardia and sinus pauses
What type of arrhythmia is Wolf-Parkinson Whyte syndrome?
Atrio- Ventricular Node Arrhythmia
Where do atrio-ventricular Nodes Arrhythmias originate?
AV node
What is the main complaint in AVN re-entry
Palpitations
Name 4 ventricular arrhythmias
Premature Ventricular Complex (PVC)
Ventricular Tachycardia
Ventricular Fibrillation
Asystole - no contraction
Name 6 causes of arrhythmias
Abnormal anatomy: left ventricular hypertrophy; accessory pathways, congenital HD
Autonomic: Sympathetic stimulation: nervousness, exercise, CHF, hyperthyroidism
Increased vagal tone (bradycardia, heart block)
Metabolic:
Hypoxic myocardium: chronic pulmonary disease, pulmonary embolus
Ischaemic myocardium: acute MI, angina
electrolyte imbalances: imbalances of K+, Ca 2+, Mg2+
Inflammation: viral myocarditis
Drugs
Genetic: mutations of cardiac ion channels e.g. the congenital long QT syndrome
Name 6 things that arrhythmias can cause
SOME FAMILIES ALWAYS CALL DADS PAPA Sudden death heart failure asymptomatic chest pain dizziness palpitations
