Arrhythmias Flashcards
What should be the only pathway for electrical activity to pass between the atria and ventricles?
AV node
What is an arrhythmia?
An irregular heart beat
What are the two main classes of arrhythmia?
- Supraventricular (SVT)
- Ventricular (VT)
These classifications are based on the origin of the arrhythmia
What does “supra ventricular” confer about the location of the arrhythmia’s origin?
It is above the ventricles and within the atria, SA node, AV node and His origin
Name 3 tachycardic SVT arrhythmias
- Atrial fibrillation
- Atrial flutter
- Ectopic atrial tachycardia
Name 2 bradycardiac SVT arrhythmias
- Sinus bradycardia
2. Sinus pauses
What are AV node arrhythmias due to?
Re-entrant rhythms
e.g. AVN re-entrant tachycardia ( SVT arrhythmia)
Where and why do ventricular arrhythmias arise?
Arise in ventricles due to ectopic beats from latent pacemakers
What is supra ventricular praoxysmal tachycardia ?
A re-entrant tachycardia
This comes and goes spontaneously
Wolf- Parkinson- White syndrome involves which type of arrhythmia?
Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
What are the three types ventricular arrhythmias?
- Ventricular tachycardia
- Ventricular fibrillation
- Asystole- the heart fails to beat
What are ectopic beats
Beats arising from outwit the SA node
