Cardiac Arrhythmia Flashcards
what is the normal cardiac rhythm known as ?
sinus rhythm
how many bpm is considered normal?
60-100 bpm
what is the pathway for the cardiac conduction system?
SA node in RA —–> AV node in RA —–> L and R ventricles
Draw the normal ECG rhythm
what are the symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias?
-asymptomatic
-palpitations (fast HR)
-chest pain (fast HR)
-syncope (fainting)
-heart failure
what is atrial fibrillation?
causes irregular cardiac rhythm
what does atrial fibrillation cause?
-uncoordinated electrical activity
-irregularly spaced heart beat
-insufficient blood flow
-may cause clots
-an increased risk of stroke
draw atrial fibrillation rhythm that would be seen on an ECG
what treatment options are there for atrial fibrillation?
-beta blockers (slow HR)
-anticoagulants
-rarely surgery
what is a fast heart rate known as?
tachyarrhythmia
what is the most common type of tachyarrhythmia?
SVT- supraventricular tachycardia
what are the symptoms of tachyarrhythmia?
-150/160 bpm at rest
-chest pain
-palpitations
-unwell
-breathlessness
what are the treatment options for tachycardia?
adenosine- temporarily blocks AV node
vagus manoeuvres- vagus nerve slows HR
Draw the tachyarrhythmia rhythm you would see on an ECG
what is a slow heart rate known as?
bradyarrhythmia
what heart rate is considered too slow?
<60 bpm at rest
what would bradycardia look like on an ECG?
what is the exception to a slow heart rate at rest?
athletes
what would occur when HR drops to <40 bpm?
symptoms- syncope (dizziness and blackouts)
what is asystole?
-flatline
- total absence of electrical activity
- long pause seen in ECG
-seen during cardiac arrest
what does a pacemaker do?
sends electrical pulse to RA- 60-70 bpm
where would a pacemaker be found?
under the left clavicle
do you need ab prophylaxis for routine dental tx with a pacemaker?
no
what would you do if there was electrical interference during tx and the pt collapses?
turn off any electronic devices used
is ventricular arrhythmia a medical emergency?
YES- it causes ischemic heart disease
what happens during ventricular tachycardia?
no cardiac output- use beta blockers and implanted defibrillator if pt survives
what happens during ventricular fibrillation?
cardiorespiratory arrest- CPR and DEFIB
should you provide dental tx with unstable arrhythmias ?
no- postpone and refer to gp
should you use LA containing adrenaline?
you must seek advice
how would you recognise an unwell pt?
hr <40 or hr >150, chest pain, breathlessness
