Arrythmia

Question 1

blood flow

Answer 1

atria–> ventricles–>body

Question 2

cardiac conduction system

Answer 2

A system that coordinates electrical impulses driving blood flow through the heart.

Question 3

Sinoatrial node (SA node)

Answer 3

dominant pacemaker for the heart

Question 4

SA node function

Answer 4

initiates an electrical impulse and causes contraction of the atrial myocardium.

Question 5

Atrioventricular node (AV node)

Answer 5

gatekeeper to the ventricles

Question 6

AV node function

Answer 6

3. The impulse reaches the AV node, and the AV node generates a slow action potential.
4. sends an electrical impulse, activating the Bundle of His.

Question 7

Bundle of His

Answer 7

Impulse is conducted from the Bundle of His to the Right & Left Bundle Branch.

Question 8

post bundle branch (right/left) goes to

Answer 8

Impulse travels through the Purkinje Fibers.

Question 9

from purkinje fibers

Answer 9

Impulse travels through the fiber network, resulting in ventricular contraction, and ejection of blood to the body.

Question 10

arrythmia

Answer 10

Problems with the cardiac conduction system cause the heart to have an abnormal rhythm

Question 11

Location

Answer 11

Ventricular: ventricular rhythm
Supraventricular (above ventricles): atrial rhythm

Question 12

Rhythm

Answer 12

Fibrillation: irregular heartbeat
Bradycardia: slow heartbeat
Tachycardia: fast heartbeat

Question 13

atrial fibrilation

Answer 13

Random impulses cause the atria to fibrillate (twitch) rapidly and randomly.

*increased risk of stroke

Question 14

most common type of arrythmia

Answer 14

atrial fibrilation

Question 15

cardiac causes

Answer 15

high left atrial pressures
cardiac ischemia and fibrosis

Question 16

high left atrial pressures caused by

Answer 16

Mitral stenosis
Congestive heart failure

Question 17

Cardiac ischemia and fibrosis caused by

Answer 17

coronary artery disease
heart attack

Question 18

Three non-cardiac causes

Answer 18

Hypoxia
Catecholamines
Electrolyte imbalance

Question 19

hypoxia caused by

Answer 19

pneumonia
copd
pulmonary embolism

Question 20

catecholamines cause increase in SNS caused by

Answer 20

infection
post-surgery

Question 21

electrolyte imbalance

Answer 21

low Mg+ and K+

Question 22

pulmonary veins

Answer 22

carry oxygenated blood from lungs to the atria

Question 23

Atrial cells

Answer 23

around pulmonary veins are sensitive to hypoxia

Question 24

ectopy

Answer 24

electrical impulse coming from somewhere else other than SA node

*from atrial cells

Question 25

pulmonary embolism

Answer 25

Blood clot gets stuck in an artery in the lung

Question 26

catecholamines

Answer 26

a group of hormones and neurotransmitters that are released by the body in response to stress

EP and NE to beta-1 receptors

Question 27

most deadly arrythmia

Answer 27

ventricular fibrillation

Question 28

ventricular fibrillation

Answer 28

Ventricles quiver or twitch instead of expanding and squeezing

Question 29

result of vf

Answer 29

No effective ventricular contraction -> no cardiac output –> no oxygen to the body –> death

Question 30

causes of ventricular fibrillation

Answer 30

medicinal toxicity
electrical shock

Question 31

medicinal toxicity

Answer 31

Toxic levels interfere with electrical activity of the heart

long term therapy or overdose
ex: digoxin