Cardiac rhythm monitors & equipment 4 Flashcards
A patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome develops atrial fibrillation during surgery. Select the BEST treatment for this situation. (select 2)
a. cardioversion
b. verapamil
c. digoxin
d. procainamide
a. cardioversion
d. procainamide
Wolff-Parkinson White is the most common
pre-excitation syndrome
The defining feature of WPW consists of
an accessory conduction pathway (Kent’s bundle) that bypasses the AV node & the conduction delay associated with it
A key diagnostic feature of WPW on the EKG is
a delta wave
The most common tachydysrhythmia associated with WPW is
AV nodal reentry tachycardia
AV nodal reentry tachycardia can be classified as
orthodromic or antidromic
The most common AV nodal reentry tachycardia is
orthodromic
Orthodromic AV nodal reentry tachycardia is associated with
a narrow QRS complex
Treatment for orthodromic AV nodal reentry tachycardia includes
increasing the refractory period at the AV node (vagal maneuvers, amiodarone, adenosine, beta-blockers, verapamil, or cardioversion)
Antidromic AV nodal reentry tachycardia is associated with
a wide QRS complex
Treatment for antidromic AVNRT includes
increasing the refractory period of the accessory pathway (procainamide or cardioversion)
With antidromic AVNRT, these agents should be avoided:
agents that increase the refractory period of the AV node
Common characteristics observed on the EKG of a WPW include:
delta wave caused by ventricular preexcitation
short PR interval (<0.12 seconds)
wide QRS complex
possible T wave inversion
Drugs to avoid with antidromic AVNRT include
adenosine
digoxin
calcium channel blockers
beta-blockers
lidocaine
The combination of AF & WPW can precipitate
CHF, ventricular fibrillation, & death
Definitive treatment for WPW is
ablation of the accessory pathway
A complication of radiofrequency ablation of the left atrium is
thermal injury to the left atrium and esophagus
monitor esophageal temperature & let cardiologist know if it rises
Is orthodromic AVRNT or antidromic AVRNT more dangerous in the patient with atrial fibrillation? Why?
antidromic AVRNT- the AV node is bypassed and the ventricular rate can increase dramatically (up to 300 bpm) causing CHF and ventricular fibrillation
All of the following increase the likelihood of torsades de pointes in the patient with long QT syndrome EXCEPT:
a. hyperventilation
b. furosemide
c. methadone
d. metoprolol
d. metoprolol
Torsades de pointes is a
polymorphic ventricular tachycardia