Cardiovascular (15%) Flashcards
AFib is described as an ______ ______ rhythm with (narrow/wide) QRS
Irregularly irregular
narrow

What will not be observed on a pt’s EKG with AFib?
P waves
What is the ventricular rate of a pt with AFib?
80-140 bpm, rarely >170
What is the most common chronic arrythmia?
AFib
Most patients with AFib are (asymptomatic/symptomatic)
Asymptomatic
In a pt with AFib, what sequela do we worry most about?
Thrombus formation, which can embolize and cause ischemic strokes
What is Ashman’s phenomenon?
What dz process is it associated with?
Occasional aberrantly conducted beats (wide QRS) after short R-R cycles
AFib

Is Afib more common in men or women? White or black patients?
Men
White
What are the 4 types of AFib?
Describe each.
Paroxysmal: self-terminating w/in 7 days (usually <24 hrs); ±Recurrent
Persistent: fails to self-terminate, lasts >7 days; Requires termination (medical or electrical)
Permanent: persistent AF >1 year (refractory to cardioversion or cardioversion never tried)
Lone: paroxysmal, persistent or permanent w/o evidence of heart dz
What is recommended tx for a pt with STABLE AFib?
Examples of medications?
Rate Control: preferred as initial managmenet in sx AFib pts over rhythm control
BB, CCB, Digoxin
Rhythm Control: Direct current (synchronized) cardioversion is preferred over Rx rhythm control {AFib present <48 hrs, after 3-4 wks of anticoag and TE echo w/o atrial thrombi}
Pharm rhythm control: Ibutilide, Flecainide, Sotalol, Amiodarone
Readiofrequency ablation, paermanent pacemaker
What is recommended tx for pts with UNSTABLE AFib?
Direct current (synchronized) cardioversion {DCC}
Is anticoagulation recommended for pts with AFib?
YES
What is the CHA2DS2-VASc score and why is it used?
Used for determining risk of embolization and need for anticoag
Congestive Heart Failure
Hypertension
A2ge >= 75 y/o
S2troke, TIA, thrombus
Vascular dz
Age 65-74 y/o
Sex (female)
- Maximum score = 9*
- >= 2: moderate-high risk, chronic oral anticoag recommended*
- 1: low risk, anticoag sometimes recommended*
- 0: very low risk, no anticoag needed*
What are some examples of Non vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC)?
Dabigatran: direct thrombin inhibitor (binds to and inhibits thrombin)
Rivaroxaban, Apixaban, Edoxaban: Factor Xa inhibitors (selectively bind to antithrombin III)
What is the goal for INR in pts on Warafrin?
2-3
Is anticoagulant monotherapy or dual therapy superior?
monotherapy
Dual should be reserved for pts who cannot be treated with anticoagulation (for reasons OTHER than bleeding risk)
What medications can cause Long QT syndrome?
Macrolides
TCAs
What are some clinical manifestations in a pt with Long QT syndrome?
recurrent syncope, ventricular arryhtmias, and sudden cardiac death
What is the definitive management of congenital long QT syndrome?
Automatic implantable cardiodefibrilator (AICD)
_______ abnormalities may cause a pt to develop Long QT syndrome
Electrolyte
In a pt with paroxysmal aupraventricular tachycardia, their HR will be ______
They will have a (irregular/regular) rhythm with (narrow/wide) QRS complexes
____ waves are hard to discern d/t the rapid rate
>100 bpm
regular
narrow
P waves
What are the two main pathways of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia?
Which is MC?
Describe each.
AV Nodal Reentry Tachycardia (AVNRT): 2 pathways both w/in the AV node (slow and fast), MC
AV Reciprocating Tachycarida (AVRT): 1 pathway w/in the AV node and a 2nd accessory pathway OUTSIDE the AV node
What are two examples of AV Reciprocating Tachycaridas (AVRT)?
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW)
Lown-Ganong-Levine (LGL) Syndrome
What are the two types of conduction patterns that may be seen in a pt with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia?
Which is MC?
Describe each.
Which one leads to narrow vs wide complex tachycardia?
Orthodromic (95%): impulse goes nown the normal AV node pathway first and returns via the accessory pathway in circles, perpetuating the rhythm –> narrow complex tachycardia
Antidromic (5%): impulse goes down the accessory pathway first and returns to the atria via the normal pathway –> wide complex tachycardia (mimics ventricular tachycardia)




















