Arrhythmias (Exam III) Flashcards
What is the prevalence of patients with arrhythmias if:
1. Being treated with digoxin.
2. Anesthetized
3. Acute MI
- 25%
- 50%
- 80%
What does the concept of automaticity refer to?
The ability of nodal tissue in the heart to automatically produce it’s own action potential at a certain interval.
Describe the 5 step conduction pathway for the heart, defined in lecture, starting with the SA node.
- SA node
- AV node
- Bundle of His
- Bundle Branches
- Purkinje Fibers
What structure links cardiac myocytes together to rapidly facilitate depolarization?
Gap Junctions
Which 3 ions are most important in determination of Vᵣₘ ?
Na⁺, K⁺, and Ca⁺⁺
During a normal action potential, which ion will always influx first?
Which one influxes second?
Na⁺ 1st
Ca⁺⁺ 2nd
Where does the myocardium’s ATP come from primarily?
Fatty Acid Oxidation (FOX)
What type of threshold is possessed by pacemaker cells (i.e. nodal tissue) in the heart?
Lower threshold (~ 60mV)
During a nodal tissue (pacemaker cell) action potential, which ion influxes first?
Is this a rapid depolarization like other action potentials?
Which ion produces rapid depolarization in this specialized cell?
Na⁺
No, Na⁺ influx is slow until the threshold is met.
Ca⁺⁺ produces rapid depolarization in nodal tissue.
What type of cell is producing the action potential depicted below?
Non-Pacemaker Cardiac Myocyte (i.e. Atrial, Ventricles, or Purkinje Fibers)
The upstroke noted in Phase 0 below (also denoted by D.) is a result of which ion going where?
Rapid Na⁺ influx inside the cell
What causes the “plateauing” of the action potential in Phase 2 noted in the figure below?
Opening of L-type Ca⁺⁺ channels to allow Ca⁺⁺ to influx into the cell.
What is occurring in Phase 1 that marks the peak of the action potential and the rapid downward slope thereafter?
At Peak: H-Gates for Na⁺ close, K⁺ starts rapid efflux
Downward slope: rapid K⁺ effluxing
What is occurring in Phase 3 of the figure below?
Continued efflux of K⁺ bringing the cellular membrane closer to Vᵣₘ
What is occurring in Phase 4 of the figure below?
Re-establishment of Vᵣₘ by Na⁺K⁺ATPase pump.
Regarding Voltage-Gated (V-G) Na⁺ channels, what gates are open at resting state vs closed at resting state?
Resting State:
M-Gates are closed
H-Gate is open
Regarding Voltage-Gated (V-G) Na⁺ channels, what gates are open at the activated state vs closed at activated state?
Activated State:
M-Gates are open
H-Gate is open
Regarding Voltage-Gated (V-G) Na⁺ channels, what gates are open at the inactivated state vs closed at inactivated state?
Inactivated State:
M-Gates are open
H-Gate is closed
Closure of what gate on a V-G Na⁺ Channel is indicative of the absolute refractory period?
H-Gate
What are the two main classifications of Arrythmias?
- Disturbances in Impulse Formation
- Disturbances in Impulse Conduction
What 3 factors can cause a disturbance in impulse formation?
- SA/AV Node abnormalities
- Ion changes (ex. ↑K⁺ )
- SNS stimulation
What two factors can cause a disturbance in impulse conduction?
- Block
- Reentry
What effects would Vagal discharge have on impulse formation?
Conversely, how would sympathetic stimulation affect impulse formation?
Answer specifically on the effects to the phase(s) of cardiac myocyte depolarization.
- ↓ HR by ↓ Phase 4 slope
- ↑ HR by ↑ Phase 4 slope
What are Afterdepolarizations?
Abnormal depolarizations occurring in Phases 2, 3, or 4 of the cardiac myocyte action potential cycle.