Day 6.2 Cardio Flashcards
EKG P wave
atrial depolarization
EKG PR interval
conduction delay through AV node
usu < 200msec
EKG QRS complex
ventricular depolarization
usu <120 msec
EKG QT interval
mechanical contraction of ventricles
EKG T wave
ventricular repolarization
T-wave inversion indicates recent MI
Why isn’t atrial repolarization on an EKG?
it’s masked by QRS complex
EKG ST segment
isoelectric, ventricles are depolarized
EKG U wave
can be caused by hypokalemia or bradycardia
On EKG: what waves are up, what are down?
P is up Q is down R is up high S is down T is up
What is the PR interval?
From the beginning of the P wave to the start of the QRS complex (so until the Q wave)
Prolonged in AV block. Prolonged means >200 msec
Torsades de pointes
Ventricular tachycardia, see shifting sinusoidal waveforms on EKG.
Can progress to v-fib
Anything that prolongs the QT interval can predispose to TdeP
Rx: Mg2+
What drugs prolong the QT interval (and therefore predispose to TdeP)?
Macrolides (erythromycin) Antimalarials (chloroquine, mefloquine) Haloperidol Risperidone Methadone Protease inhibitors (HIV) Anti-arrhythmics (Class 1A, Class III)
Congenital long QT interval
usu due to defects in cardiac Na+ chnls or K+ chnls.
Can px w severe congenital sensorineural deafness (Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome)
Wolf Parkinson White
Ventricular pre-excitation syndrome.
Accessory pathway (bundle of Kent) from atria to ventricle, which bypasses AV node
So, ventricles partially depolarize earlier–>
classic delta wave on EKG.
Can result in reentry current, leading to SVT
Rx procainamide or amiodarone
Where is a delta wave?
After P wave, right at start of QRS should be.
It’s leading up to the R, you don’t really see a Q
Classic WPW.
Where is the ST segment?
After QRS until the beginning of T wave
So from end of S wave to T.
EKG Segment vs Interval
Segment = flat part bt 2 waves
Interval = includes one segment (flat part) and at least one wave.
How many leads are on an EKG? What are they?
12 leads:
aVR, aVL, aVF
I, II, III (bipolar)
V1,2,3,4,5,6
aVR
points from heart to right arm
aVL
points from heart to left arm
aVF
points from heart to foot
limb lead I
points from right arm to left arm
limb lead II
points from right arm to foot
limb lead III
points from left arm to foot