Arrhythmias

Question 1

what is the most common reason for tachyarrhythmias?

Answer 1

reentry

Question 2

what is the most common reason for disorders of impulse formation?

Answer 2

automaticity

Question 3

what are the requirements for reentry to occur?

Answer 3

bifurcation
different RPs between pathways
unilateral slow conduction

Question 4

what are the three ECG features for atrial premature beats?

Answer 4

1. abnormal P wave early in cycle
2. relatively normal QRS morphology
3. no compensatory pause

Question 5

what is the most common cause of a pause on an ECG?

Answer 5

nonconducted atrial premature beat

Question 6

what makes a premature beat different from second degree AV block?

Answer 6

in second degree AV block, the P wave arrives on time

Question 7

premature P waves and a longer PR is what condition?

Answer 7

atrial bigeminy

Question 8

how does atrial bigeminy manifest on ECG?

Answer 8

premature P waves and a longer PR

Question 9

where do junctional prematures arise?

Answer 9

AV junction

Question 10

what are the ECG features of ventricular prematures?

Answer 10

1. wide, bizarre QRS complexes, commonly over 0.12 s
2. no preceding P wave
3. ST segment slopes away from QRS
4. compensatory pause usual

Question 11

are left or right VPDs more commonly associated with heart disease?

Answer 11

left VPDs

Question 12

are left or right VPDs more commonly associated with V fib, especially during acute MI?

Answer 12

left VPDs

Question 13

left VPDs are commonly associated with what conditions?

Answer 13

heart disease

VI fib during acute MI