Dysrhythmia Flashcards
Which site in the heart is known as the pacemaker?
Sinoatrial node
Which classes of drugs are frontline agents for dysrhythmia?
Calcium channel blockers
Sodium channel blockers
Potassium channel blockers
Some Beta-blockers
In an ECG, what does the P-wave represent?
Atrial depolarization
In an ECG, what does the QRS complex represent?
Ventricle depolarization
In an ECG, what does the T wave represent?
Ventricle repolarization
In an ECG, what does the QT interval represent?
Duration of time between depolarization and repolarization of the ventricles.
What does Sotalol do to QT interval?
Lengthens it
How does Sinoatrial cardiac tissue spontaneously depolarize?
Positive slope during phase 4- tissue eventually gets to threshold potential for depolarization on its own.
The AV node also has a positive slope during phase 4, just not as positive as SA node, so SA node reaches threshold first.
What determines conduction velocity in cardiac tissues?
The number of functional sodium channels.
25% of patients taking ________ ____________ experience dysrhythmia (tachycardia).
Cardiac glycosides
In a cardiac action potential, what happens at phase 0?
Sodium ion channels open- rapid depolarization
In a cardiac action potential, what happens at phase 1?
Sodium ion channels close and Potassium ion channels open then close soon after.
In a cardiac action potential, what happens during phase 2?
Opening and closing of the Calcium channel. Some potassium leakage. “Plateau phase”.
In a cardiac action potential, what happens during phase 3?
Opening and closing of the Potassium channel. “Repolarization phase”.
In a cardiac action potential, what happens during phase 4?
Leakage that leads to spontaneous depolarization.
What are the three general ways in which dysrhythmias are discouraged?
- Alter automaticity
- Alter conduction velocity
- Alter the refractory period
In what ways can automaticity be altered?
- Decrease slope of phase 4 depolarization
- Increase the threshold for action potentials
- Decrease the resting membrane potential
In what ways can conduction velocity be decreased?
- Decrease phase 0 slope
- Decrease phase 4 slope
- Decrease resting membrane potential and responsiveness
In what ways can refractory period be altered?
- Prolong phase 2 plateau
- Prolong phase 3 repolarization
- Increase action potential duration
Drugs of Vaughan-Williams Class IA have what effect?
Moderate Na channel block, lowers conduction velocity by decreasing phase 0 slope.
Drugs of Vaughan-Williams class IB have what effect?
Minimal block of Na channels. Phase 0 slope decreased, conduction velocity slowed some. Phase 3 repolarization shortened. Net effect decrease in action potential duration.
Drugs of Vaughan-Williams class IC have what effect?
Marked blockage of Na channels, slow conduction velocity, though there is no change in action potential duration or repolarization (QT interval).
What are the IA prototypes?
- Quinidine
- Procainamide
What are the class IB prototypes?
- Lidocaine
- Phenytoin
What is the class IC prototype agent?
Flecainide