Arrhythmias

Question 1

Arrhythmias

• due to
• 3 life-threatening consequences

Answer 1

Irregular/fast/slow electrical impulses

Stroke
Heart failure
Sudden death (cardiac arrest)

Question 2

Arrhythmias

-epidemiology

Answer 2

A-fib is the most common type of arrhythmia

Almost everyone displays an “irregular” heart beat from time to time

Question 3

Arrhythmias

-causes (a lot)

Answer 3

CAD
HTN
DM
Thyroid
Sleep apnea
Meds/drugs
Electrolyte imbalance
Stress
Genetics

Question 4

Arrhythmias

-signs/symptoms

Answer 4

May not cause any

Noticeable: chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheaded/dizzy, sweating, fainting (syncope)

Question 5

Arrhythmias

-diagnosis (5)

Answer 5

ECG/EKG
Echocardiogram
Stress test
Tilt table test
Electrophysiological testing/mapping

Question 6

Arrhythmias

-management (4)

Answer 6

Lifestyle changes
Vagal maneuvers (slow HR)
Meds
Procedures

Question 7

Arrhythmias management

• 2 medication types
• 4 procedure types

Answer 7

Anti-arrhythmic (tachy)
Blood-thinners (A-fib)

Cardioversion (shock to normal rhythm)
Catheter ablation
Implantable device (pacemaker, cardioverter-defibrillator)
Surgery (maze, coronary bypass)

Question 8

Arrhythmias implications for ODs

-medications (2)

Answer 8

Amiodarone (anti-arrhythmic)
-vortex keratopathy, lens opacities, optic neuropathy

Anti-coagulants (A-fib)

• ocular hemorrhage
• cerebral hemorrhage/stroke -> vision loss, ptosis, motility disorders

Question 9

Arrhythmias implications for ODs

-implantable devices

Answer 9

May pose risks with certain ocular procedures

• laser
• radiofrequency