Arrhythmias Flashcards
Sinus tachycardia characteristics
Regular
100-150 bpm
Normal intervals
Sinus tachy causes
Fever Activity Hemorrhage Stimulants Anxiety Injury Hypoxia Anemia Low BP COPD Meds MI
S/S hypoperfusion
Dizziness Weakness Syncope Disorientation Chest pain SOB Diaphoresis Pallor Hypotension Weak pulses Palpitations
Sinus tachy tx
Treat cause (anxiolytics, bolus fluids, digoxin, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers)
Sinus brady characteristics
Regular
<60 bpm
Normal intervals
Sinus brady d/t
hypothermia
hypoxia
Digoxin, beta blockers/calcium channel blockers
Acute MI
Vagal stimulation (vomiting/suction/rectal exam)
Athletes
Sinus brady tx
Atropine
Epinephrine
Pacemaker (rare)
Normal sinus rhythm
Regular
60 bpm
Normal intervals
Rhythm strip interpretation
1) Regularity
2) Rate
3) P wave : QRS complex ratio
4) PR interval
5) QRS complex
6) QT interval
7) INTERPRETATION :)
Normal values
PR: 0.12-0.20 s
QRS: 0.06-0.12 s
QT interval: 0.36-0.44 s
Sinus arrhythmia
Irregular HR
60-100 bpm
Normal intervals
Sinus arrhythmia d/t s/s tx
Normal pressure changes in chest cavity during breathing
No s/s
No tx
Sinus pause
Regular except for pauses 60-100 bpm Normal intervals Calculate pause (b/t QRS complexes)
Sinus pause d/t
Ischemic, inflammatory or degenerative disease of SA node
Sleep apnea
Cardiac meds
Excessive vagal tone
Sinus pause s/s tx
Longer, more frequent pauses –> decreased CO –> s/s hypoperfusion
Atropine, epi, dopamine if symptomatic
SVT
Regular or irregular
150-250 bpm
Undefined P/T waves
Narrow QRS
SVT causes
Sinus tachy, a fib, a flutter, junctional tachy
Severe anxiety
Stimulants (coke, caffeine, amphetamines)
Alcohol, narcotics
SVT treatments
Stable: adenosine, vagal maneuvers
Unstable: Synchronized cardioversion
A fib
Irregular
60-180 bpm
Undefined P/T waves - multiple P waves
QRS complex narrow
Slow <60 bpm
Fast >100 bpm
State rate as a range
A fib causes s/s
MI, longstanding CAD, COPD, atrial septal defects
Cardiac insufficiency, valve regurgitation, hypertrophy
S/S possible: hypoperfusion
A fib tx
New onset: IV heparin, IV amiodarone
Stable, fast: amiodarone, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers
Unstable (>180 bpm, hypotension, chest pain): synchronized cardioversion
A flutter
Regular or irregular Saw-toothed appearance: similar F-waves (one or two ectopic pacemakers bombard AV node) Undefined PR interval Undefined QT interval Narrow QRS complex
A flutter causes
Antiarrhythmic drugs (to suppress a fib) Obesity Obstructive sleep apnea Sick sinus syndrome Pericarditis Pulmonary disease PE Cardiomyopathy Thyrotoxicosis