Arrythmias Flashcards
describe electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation
electrical cardioversion may be done early in the process to stop the atrial fibrillation and put the heart back into normal sinus rhythm
does electrical cardioversion cure atrial fibrillation
no
describe normal sinus rhythm
it is the characteristic rhythm of the healthy human heart,
it is the rhythm that originates from the sinus node
what will varying normal sinus rhythm depend on
the rate in normal sinus rhythm will vary depending on autonomic inputs into the sinus node
what is first degree heart block
it is a disease of the electrical conduction system of the heart, the PR interval is lengthened beyond 0.2 seconds
what is second degree heart block
it is a disease of the electrical conduction system of the heart, it is diagnosed when one or more of the atrial impulses fail to conduct to the ventricle due to impaired conduction
what is third degree heart block
it is complete heart block
it is a medical condition
the nerve impulse generated in the sinoatrial node in the atrium of the heart does not propagate to the ventricles
what are the causes of atrioventricular block
ischaemic heart disease
infective diseases including Lyme disease and Chagas disease
cardiac sarcoidosis
aortic valve disease including endocarditis, calcific aortic stenosis
aortic valve surgery
hyperthyroidism
what is supra-ventricular tachycardia
it is an abnormally fast heart rhythm that arises from improper electrical activity in the upper part of the heart
what are the 4 main types of supra ventricular tachycardia
atrial fibrillation
paroxysmal supra ventricular tachycardia
atrial flutter
Wolff Parkinson white syndrome
what is Wolff Parkinson white syndrome
it is an electrical abnormality in the heart that may be associated with supra ventricular tachycardia i.e. it may be associated with fast heart rate originating above the ventricles
what is ventricular tachycardia
it is very fast heart rhythm that begins in the ventricles, it is a type of regular and fast heart rate that arises from improper electrical activity in the ventricles of the heart
what might ventricular tachycardia result in
cardiac arrest and turn into ventricular fibrillation
describe ventricular tachycardia
it is a pulse of more than 100 beats per minute with at least 3 irregular heartbeats in a row
what is fibrillation
it is very rapid irregular contractions of the muscle fibres of the heart
what does fibrillation result in
a lack of synchronism between heartbeat and pulse
what is sinus tachycardia
it is a sinus rhythm with an elevated rate of impulses, it is defined as a rate greater than 100 beats per minute in an average adult
what is sinus bradycardia
it is a sinus rhythm with a rate that is lower than normal, it is generally defined to be a rate of under 60 beats per minute
what is sinus arrest
it is a medical condition, the sinoatrial node of the heart transiently ceases to generate electrical impulses that normally stimulate the myocardial tissue to contract and thus the heart to beat
what is ectopic rhythm
it is an irregular rhythm due to premature heartbeat, the heart experiences an early beat
what are 3 other ways ectopic rhythm can be referred to
premature atrial contraction
premature ventricular contraction
extrasystole
what are atrial ectopic beats
atrial ectopic beats are problems in the electrical system of the heart, they are extra heartbeats caused by a signal to the atria from an abnormal electrical focus
what are atrial ectopic beats also called
atrial premature beats and premature atrial contractions
what are ventricular ectopic beats
extra heart beats originating from the ventricles, these beats are triggered by the hearts normal function
what are ventricular ectopic beats
premature ventricular contractions
what is atrial fibrillation
it is a heart condition that causes an irregular and abnormally fast heart rate
what are causes of atrial fibrillation
high blood pressure heart attacks coronary heart disease abnormal heart valves congenital heart defects an overactive thyroid metabolic imbalance exposure to stimulants
what are symptoms of atrial fibrillation
often episodes of atrial fibrillation have no symptoms
however symptoms could include: palpitations weakness reduced ability to exercise fatigue lightheadedness dizziness confusion shortness of breath
what are tests to diagnose atrial fibrillation
ECG holter monitor event recorder ECHO blood tests stress test CXR
what are complications of atrial fibrillation
stroke
heart failure
how can atrial fibrillation cause a stroke
in atrial fibrillation, the chaotic rhythm may cause blood to pool in your heart’s atria and form clots
what may doctors use to correct atrial fibrillation
cardioversion to set the heart to sinus rhythm
