Cardiac Arrhytmias Flashcards
what is the treatment for sinus bradycadia
atropine
what can SVT be due to
AV nodal re-entrant tachycardia
Accessory pathway tachycardia i.e. WPW syndrome
Ectopic atrial tachycardia
what is the acute management of SVT
Vagal manoeuvres, carotid massage
IV Adenosine
IV Verapamil
what is the chronic management of SVT
Avoid stimulants Radiofrequency ablation Antiarrhythmic drugs (Class II or IV)
what is ablation
cautery of cardiac tissue to prevent tachycardia
what does ablation target
automatic focus
OR
part of a re-entry circuit
what is Brugada syndrome
autosomal dominant condition
faulty sodium channels predispose to fatal arrhythmias
typically in young males
what does Brugada syndrome predispose you to
Ventricular tachycardia
what is VF
Chaotic ventricular electrical activity
causes the heart to lose the ability to function as a pump.
acute management of VT
DC cardioversion
Adenosine if unsure
VT management
look for causes
correct ischaemia - revascularisation
when do most ventricular arrthythmias occur
structural heart disease
i.e. CHF, CAD, LVH
what is the relationship between anti-arrhythmic drugs and ICDs
Anti-arrhythmic drugs proven to be ineffective on survival, but are often used together with ICDs
what are the symptoms of AF
palpitations pre-syncope (dizziness) syncope chest pain dyspnea sweatiness fatigue
how does AF cause reduce CO
Lost ‘atrial kick’ and decreased filling times (reduced diastole)
what can AF result in
Congestive Heart failure
rate control drugs of AF
Digoxin
Beta blockers
Verapamil, Diltiazem
rhythm control of AF - restoration of NSR
Amiodarone
Direct Current Cardioversion (DCCV)
rhythm control of AF - maintenance of NSR
Anti-arrhythmic drugs
Catheter ablation of atrial focus/ pulmonary veins
Surgery (Maze procedure)
examples of Class II anti-arrhythmic drugs
Propranalol
what is atrial flutter
rapid and regular form of atrial tachycardia
usually paroxysmal
chronic Atrial flutter leads to atrial fibrillation
