Arrhythmias Flashcards
what are indications for temporary pacing?
intermittent or sustained symptomatic bradycardia, particularly if they experience syncope
prophylactic when patient is at high risk for developing severe brady cardia e.g. 2nd or 3rd degree AV block, pos anterior MI
(even if unsymptomatic)
what are the indications for permanent pacing?
symptomatic or profound 2nd/3rd AV block particularly when cause is unlikely to disappear
Mobitz type II 2nd/3rd degree AV block even if asymptomatic
AV block associate with neuromuscular disease
after (or in preparation for) AV- node ablation
alternating RBBB/LBBBB
SN disease associated with symptoms
carotid sinus hypersensitvity/ malignant vasovagal syncope
what is the abnormality with supra ventricular ectopics?
ectopics are beats which occur earlier than they should
SVE has a narrow QRS complex < 3 small squares
what are the 2 types of supra ventricular tachycardia?
atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia AVNRT
atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia
what is the difference on ECG’s between AVNRT and AVRT?
P waves are absent in AVNRT because atrial and ventricular activity occurs simultaneously
in AVRT the atrial activity occurs after the ventricular activity so P wave occurs after the QRS complex
what is the aetiology of ventricular tachycardia?
VT is usually due to a structural heart disease
how might atrial fibrillation present?
asymptomatic palpitations dyspnoea chest pain embolism
what are the investigations carried out in atrial fibrillation?
bedside: ECG FBC - anaemia? U & E - hypo/hyperkalaemia, hypomagnesium? TFT - hyperthyroidism? CRP/ESR - infection?
CXR - pul oedema, heart failure?
Echo - thrombus?
what drugs are used for rate control?
beta blockers
calcium channel blockers
digoxin
what drugs are used for rhythm control?
class Ic drugs i.e. flecainide class III drugs i.e. amiodarone
what are electrical treatments for arrhythmia?
direct current cardioversion
pace and ablation of AV node
substrate modification e.g. pulmonary vein ostial ablation
maze procedures
when someone receives cardioversion what drug do they have to be on ideally prior to the procedure?
anti-coagulants as there is high risk of embolism
what type of arrhythmia is atrioventricular block?
bradycardic arrhythmia
what is the abnormality on an ECG due to 1st degree AV block?
prolonged PR interval
name 3 types of 2nd degree AV blocks?
mobitz I
mobitz II
wenckbach
what are the abnormalities in the 3 types of 2nd degree AV block?
mobitz I = PR interval prolongation until P wave fails to conduct
Mobitz II = dropped QRS isn’t accomapnied by PR interval
Wenckback = every 2nd or 3rd P wave conducts to the ventricle
what is wenckbach 2nd degree AV block due to?
block in the AV node
what treatment is given to someone post MI which has caued Mobitz II AV block?
close monitoring
what treatment is given to someone post anterior MI which has caused mobitz II AV block?
permanent pacemaker
what is the treatment for 3rd degree block?
treatment depends on the aetiology
may require atropine and/or pacemaker