Clinical Management of Arrhythmias Flashcards
What is an arrhythmia?
Abnormal heart beat
What can arrhythmias be defined as?
Too fast
Too slow
Extra beats
Missed beats
What is bradycardia?
<60 bpm
What is tachycardia?
> 100 bpm
What is associated with tachyarrhythmia?
Atrial fibrillation
Atrial flutter
Supraventricular tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia
Ventricular fibrillation
What are the different types of atrial fibrillation?
Paroxysmal AF
Persistent AF
Permanent AF
What is paroxysmal AF?
Episode stops within 48hrs without treatment
What is persistent AF?
Episode lasts >7 days
What is permanent AF?
Present all the time
What is supraventricular tachycardia?
Fault in electrical impulses above ventricles
What is associated with bradyarrhythmia?
Sick sinus syndrome
Heart block
What are the different types of arrhythmias?
Premature heartbeats
Premature atrial contractions
Premature ventricular contractions
What does arrhythmias present as?
SYMPTOMS
Fluttering sensation in chest
SOB
Dizziness
Fatigue
Fainting
Sweating
Anxiety
What are the causes?
Coronary artery disease
High B.P= uncontrolled
Diabetes
Caffeine
Thyroid toxicosis
Alcohol
Smoking
ACS
Valvular disease
What are the complications of arrhythmias?
Stroke
Heart failure
Sudden death
What is an ischaemic stroke?
Ischaemic tissue from clot = artery blocked
What is a haemorrhage stroke?
Clot bursts = bleed in brain
What is catheter ablation?
Pushed into heart to find where impulse is coming from
Create scar tissue = doesn’t conduct
Which drugs are used for rate control?
Beta blockers
CCB
Cardiac glycoside
What is an example of a beta blocker you would use?
Bisoprolol