Arrhythmias Presentation

Question 1

what is 1st degree heart block

Answer 1

split second delay in the time it takes the electrical impulses to move through the AV node, usually benign

Question 2

what may an ECG of first degree heart block show

Answer 2

prolonged PR interval

Question 3

what is 2nd degree heart block

Answer 3

series of increasing delays in the time it takes the AV node to send the pulse to the ventricle, this will eventually lead to theheart skipping a beat

Question 4

2nd degree heart block can be further split up into what two types

Answer 4

asymptomatic

symptomatic

Question 5

what man an ECG of 2nd degree heart block show

Answer 5

non conductive P wave

Question 6

what is 3rd degree heart block

Answer 6

no transmission of electrical impulses between the atria and the ventricles through the AV node - AV dissociation

Question 7

What is atrial fibrillation

Answer 7

problem with the electrical signaling in the atria and this results in a fast irregular heart beat.

Question 8

how common is Afib

Answer 8

most common rhythm disorder, many of the population has benign A-fib

Question 9

what is the aim of A-fib treatment

Answer 9

to restore normal sinus rhythm

Question 10

what are the ways normal sinus rhythm can be restored in A fib

Answer 10

pharmacological

electrically by cardioversion

Question 11

what medication might be given to patient with A-fib to stop thrombus formation

Answer 11

anti-coagulant e.g Warfarin or heprin

Question 12

what is the difference between Atrial fib and Atrial flutter

Answer 12

atrial flutter is still rapid but organised

atrial fib is disorganised and rapid

Question 13

what may the P waves look like on an ECG with atrial fib

Answer 13

a saw tooth pattern - as the atria keeps firing so lots of P waves.

Question 14

what is supraventricular tachycardia

Answer 14

abnormally high heart rate at more than 100bpm at rest

Question 15

what can cause SVT

Answer 15

genetic
structural
coronary artery disease

Question 16

what is the pathology of SVT

Answer 16

usually a re-entry circuit involving the AV node or an accessory pathway that permits electrical conduction between the atria and the ventricles

Question 17

what arrhythmia can be terminated by the valsalva manoeuvre

Answer 17

SVT

Question 18

what medication can be given to treat SVT

Answer 18

adenosine -can block the AV node and break the circuit stopping the arrhythmia

Question 19

define Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

Answer 19

condition present at birth where heart beats abnormally fast for periods of time, due to an extra electrical connection in the heart between the atria and the ventricles -causes rapid hear beat

Question 20

define ventricular tachycardia

Answer 20

3 or more broad QRS complexes (bigger than 3 small boxes) occurring at a rate of >120bpm, with the heart beat originating in the ventricles

Question 21

what is the cause of VT

Answer 21

coronary artery disease

conditions that cause structural damage to the ventricle s

Question 22

what is ventricular fibrillation

Answer 22

ventricle fibrillation is never associated with cardiac out put sufficient to preserve consciousness. ventricle rhythm will be chaotic

Question 23

what must you do in VF

Answer 23

reverse sinus rhythm- cardioversion IMMEDIATELY

Question 24

what is ventricular fibrillation usually caused by

Answer 24

IHD- ventricle cells are deprived of oxygen

Question 25

define sinus tachycardia

Answer 25

HR greater than 100 bpm at rest

Question 26

define sinus brady cardia

Answer 26

HR less than 60 bpm at rest

Question 27

what is the clinical presentation of A-fib

Answer 27

fast HR
chest senstations "fish flopping"
fatigue
dizzy
breathless

Question 28

what is sinus arrest

Answer 28

failure of the SA node to initiate impulses therefore atria arent stimulated

Question 29

what is Torsades de Pointes

Answer 29

type of ventricular tachycardia usually associated with long QT syndrome