Cardiac Conduction Disorders: Other Flashcards
type of arrhythmia that begins at one or more irritable focus/foci pacing very rapidly
“tachy” arrhythmia
How are “tachy” arrhythmias defined?
- rate
2. site of origin
What are “tachy” arrhythmias associated with?
reduced cardiac output
What does paroxysmal mean?
suddenly occurring
sudden onset of rapid heart rate, between 150 and 250 BPM
paroxysmal tachycardia
originates from an irritable automaticity focus in the atria
paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
In PAT- P wave before each QRS, different origin therefore different ___ wave shape, and different __ interval
P wave before each QRS, different origin therefore different P wave shape, different PR interval
originates from an irritable automaticity focus at the AV junction
paroxysmal junctional tachycardia
EKG changes with paroxysmal junctional tachycardia
-May or may not have P waves, placement before, overlayed with, or after QRS
Possible QRS widening due to depolarization of one bundle branch before the other
originates above the ventricles, i.e., from the atria or the junction
supraventricular rhythm
encompasses both PAT and PJT
paroxysmal supra ventricular tachycardia (SVT)
when is paroxysmal supra ventricular tachycardia used?
used when P waves are not visible (high rates) and/or unable to differentiate (normal QRS width)
Causes of atrial and junctional focus irritability include:
- Epinephrine
- Sympathetic stimulation
- B1 stimulants (caffeine, amphetamines, cocaine)
- Drugs (excess digitalis, ethanol)
- Hyperthyroidism
- Cardiac stretch (heart failure)
- Low oxygen
originates from an irritable automaticity focus below the AV junction
paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia
EKG changes with paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia
- Very wide, PVC-like QRS complexes
- P waves are hidden in the QRS complexes (P waves are dissociated from QRS)
are defined as having a rate of 250-350 BPM
flutter rhythms
With flutter rhythms, _____ function of the affected part of the heart (atria, ventricles) is always _____
With flutter rhythms, pump function of the affected part of the heart (atria, ventricles) is always reduced
results from rapid atrial depolarization caused by an ectopic focus
atrial flutter
In atrial flutter, atria cannot ____ effectively and AV node cannot transmit all __________ to the ventricles
In atrial flutter, atria cannot pump effectively and AV node cannot transmit all depolarization to the ventricles
Characterized by number of P waves to each QRS (2:1 or 3:1 here)
atrial flutter
Sometimes difficult to detect, may be more recognizable if the ECG is flipped (top) or if a vagal maneuver is used (e.g., bear down)
atrial flutter
Atrial flutter: vagal maneuver (PNS stimulation) increases AV node delay (more “refractory”) and decreases SA node firing, thereby decreasing \_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_ (separating QRS peaks), resulting in more flutter waves per QRS
Atrial flutter: Vagal maneuver (PNS stimulation) increases AV node delay (more “refractory”) and decreases SA node firing, thereby decreasing heart rate (separating QRS peaks), resulting in more flutter waves per QRS
results from rapid ventricular depolarization caused by an ectopic focus
ventricular flutter
What tachyarrhythmia usually degenerates to ventricular fibrillation?
ventricular flutter
Ventricular flutter:
Ventricular pumping markedly ______ (insufficient fill time) leading to ______
Ventricular flutter:
Ventricular pumping markedly inhibited (insufficient fill time) leading to hypoxia
As ventricular oxygenation falls, additional ventricular automaticity foci are recruited to produce ventricular ______.
As ventricular oxygenation falls, additional ventricular automaticity foci are recruited to produce ventricular fibrillation.
What is a specific pattern of ventricular flutter?
Torsades de Pointes
What is characteristic of Torsades de Pointes?
undulating pattern of the flutter waves
What do conditions associated with Torsades de Pointes present with on EKG?
-prolonged QT segment, which can be due to hypokalemia, long QT syndrome`
Fibrillation rhythms are defined as having a rate of ___-___ BPM
350-450 bpm