Cardiac Arrythmias Flashcards

1
Q

5 Causes of Arrhythmias

A

1-Abnormal rhythmicity of the pacemake
2-Shift of pacemaker activity
3-Conduction of blocks
4-Abnormal pathways of impulse transmission
5-Spontaneous generation of abnormal impulses

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2
Q

3 Normal Cardiac Rhythmns

A

1-Normal sinus rhythm: impulses originate at SA node at normal rate

2-Sinus arrhythmia: impulses originate at SA node at varying rates

3-Wandering atrial pacemaker: impulses originate from varying points in atria

In ALL: PQRST waves are normal. Spacing may just vary.

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3
Q

Primary cause of sinus arrythmia

A

Breathing

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4
Q

Normal HR for cats and dogs

A

Cats=140-220

Dogs=70-160

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5
Q

Abnormally fast or slow heart rate originating at SA node

A

Fast-sinus tachycardia (maybe due to fever or hyperthroidism or in shock)
Slow-Sinus bradycardia

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6
Q

Sinus Arrest

A

When SA node stops firing

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7
Q

Describe ECG for sinus arrest

A

Normal PQRST waves then there’s nothing for ~5 seconds because SA node didn’t fire.

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8
Q

First-degree atrioventricular block

A

There’s a fixed by prolonged PR interval. P-R interval is greater than 0.14 seconds n dog.

No dropped beats

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9
Q

Second degree AV block: Mobitz type I

A

There’s progressive lengthening of PR interval with intermittent dropped beats.

Dropped beat.

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10
Q

Second degree AV block: Mobitz type II

A

AV block at bundle of His lvl

There’s a sudden dropped QRS without prior PR lengthening.

Often see P:QRS in ratios

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11
Q

Third degree AV block

A

Impulses originate at SA node but there’s no coordination with perkinje fibers.

Atria and ventricles are on different pages

P:QRS does not have a relationship.

Depending on if L or R perkinje fibers pick up impulse will give S or R wave.

L=S
R=R

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12
Q

Supraventricular and Ventriculr Abnormalities (3)

A

Premature contraction
tachycardia
Fibrillation

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13
Q

Reasons for premature contractions

A
  • Contractions occur before they are supposed to
  • Pulse deficit:ventricles don’t fill with blood properly and stroke volume is decreased
  • Bigeminal pulse: every other beat may be premature
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14
Q

Tachycardia definition

A

At least 3 or more premature contractions

Paroxysmal:lasts for varying amount off time and can stop whenever

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15
Q

What are fibrillations

A

Many separate and small waves spreading at the same time in different directions over cardiac muscle.

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16
Q

Difference between sinus tachycardia and supraventricular tachycardia

A

Sinus tach=physiological. SA node just firing faster

SupVen Tach= pathological: premature contractions

17
Q

Supraventricular premature contraction (3)

A
  • Premature beats
  • Looks similar to sinus beats
  • Duration of QRS complexes are usually normal
18
Q

Atrial/Supraventricular paroxysmal tachycardia

A

There’s sudden burst (of at least 3) QRS complexes. Ventricles may not be properly filling with blood. HR is really high

19
Q

Atrial flutter

A

Impulses travel in circular course in atria setting up regular rapid flutter waves without QRS.

Irregular ventricular rate.

20
Q

Atrial fibrillation

A

Impulses take chaotic/random pathway to atria

No distinct P waves and no coordinated atrial contraction

QRS looks normal but irregular spaced

21
Q

Ventricular premature contraction

A

QRS are wide and bizarre due to ectopic focus in ventricular myocardium

22
Q

Ventricular bigeminy

A

Every other QRS wave is wide and bizarre.

May be due to stretched tissue in heart in ventricles

23
Q

Ventricular paroxysmal tachycardia

A

Random run of at least 3 QRS that are wide and bizzare.

24
Q

Ventricular fibrillation

A

No coordination in ventricular depolarization. No really defined QRS wave.

25
Q

Point of electroshock defib of the ventricles

A

To reset the heart. Shocking the heart will through everything into refractory and hopefully give the heat a chance for SA node to regain control and after repolarization of cells, will begin firing.