Cardiac Arrhythmias Flashcards
When one has a regular heart rate of more than 100 bpm, what is this called?
sinus tachycardia
When one has a regular heart rate of less than 60 bpm, what is this called?
sinus bradycardia
When phasic cycles of breathing cause changes in the heart rhythm, what is this called? Is this a problem?
respiratory arrhythmia
this is usually not a problem
What is a hesitation in the sinoatrial intitiation called?
sinus pause
What are possible causes of PAC’s?
Rheumatic heart disease, MI, Htn, meds, hypoxia
What are the symptoms of PAC’s?
PAC’s usually don’t cause symptoms, but if they do it is:
fatigue
bradycardia
What is the usual treatment for PAC’s?
none usually, but if needed meds (thrombolytics) or ablation (burning ectopic foci).
What happens in atrial flutter?
AV Node doesn’t capture all the SA node signals, you don’t get a QRS for every P wave.
What are some of the causes of atrial flutter?
symptoms?
treatment?
causes: caffeine, nicotine, COPD, heart failure, MI, digitalis, Rheumatic heart disease, valvular disease.
symptoms: nothing unusual or pt feels flutter
treatment: meds or cardioversion.
“bag of worms” refers to what condition? What is the symptoms of this condition? treatment?
atrial fibrillation
symptoms: syncope, fatigue, palpitations
treatment: meds, ablation
How many bpm is a regular junctional rhythm?
junctional bradycardia?
junctional tachycardia?
accelerated junctional rhythm?
regular junctional rhythm: 40-60 bpm
junctional bradycardia: <40 bpm
junctional tachycardia: 100 bpm
accelerated junctional rhythm: 60-100 bpm
What does a junctional rhythm look like?
no P wave but QRS looking normal
What does a 1st degree heart block involve?
Signal from SA to AV is delayed, resulting in prolonged P-R interval (> .20).
What is the main characteristic of 2nd degree heart blocks?
dropped QRS
What is it called when the PR interval gradually elongates until it misses a QRS?
Mobitz Type I Heart Block
What does a Mobitz Type II heart block involve?
Fixed prolonged PR intervals with missed QRS.
What does a 3rd degree heart block involve?
What is the usual treatment?
dissociation between atria and ventricles - P doesn’t relate to QRS.
treatment: pacemaker, medications
If you see “rabbit ears” on an ECG, what is this called? What direction does the electical impulse travel?
Right BBB. Travels down left side then right.
What does a left BBB look like? What direction does the electrical impulse travel?
Wide bizarre looking QRS, steep R and slow wide S. Travels down right side then left side.
What happens with a ideoventricular rhythm?
P not associated with QRS, QRS wide and slow.
How many PVC’s in a row does it take to call it ventricular tachycardia?
3
Caffeine can cause what 2 types of arrhythmias?
Alcohol can cause what 2 types of arrhythmias?
caffeine: atrial flutter and PVC’s
alcohol: atrial flutter and ventricular tachycardia
What is intermittent ventricular tachycardia called?
Salvo
V-tach characterized by rotation of the heart’s electrical axis by at least 180 degrees, long and short R-R intervals and prolonged QT intervals is called what?
Torsades de Pointes
