ECG 2: Signs of Abnormality Flashcards
What are the three signs on an ECG of WPW syndrome with a Wide complex QRS?
Why is this
Short PR
Wide QRS
Delta wave
Because its going don the slower conduction pathway
WPW and “Narrow complex Tachycardia”
Narrow QRS, and a re-entrant SVT
WPW syndrome is?
pre-excitation syndrome, which the ventricles of the heart are electrically activated earlier then normal through an ‘accessory pathway’ called the “Bundle of Kent”.
Abnormal electrical pathway that doesn’t have the delaying properties of the AV node
How can a ventricular Tachyarrhythmia occur?
Re-entry from atria to the ventricles.
-Rapid atrial rhythm where AV node cannot protect ventricles
How does WPW present?
- Most sufferers will remain asymptomatic throughout their entire lives
- episodes of unexplained syncope or palpitations
- small risk of sudden death
Treatment of WPW
Drugs
removal of Bundle of Kent
Long QT Syndrome
Heart disease in with an abnormally long delay between ventricular depol -repolarization (delayed repolarisation). This reflects AP duration
Most common types of LQTS are?
Drug Induced: usually a result of anti-arrhythmic drugs like “amiodarone”
Genetic: due to mutation usually in ion channels. Usually prolong the Ventricular AP (APD)
Most Common type of Genetic LQTS?
Gene conducting slowed component of the K+ channel is mutated. This leads to an iKs abnormality as cells can’t repolarise properly
How does Long QT Syndrome work?
Long QT > abnormal ventricular repolarisation > differences in the “refractoriness of myocytes > abnormal activation of the ventricles and thus arrhythmia
Complications of LQTS
Associated with Syncope and sudden death due to ventricular arrhythmias
Early after-depolarisations (EADs) can result in
- Continuously varying
- Torsade de Pointes - twisting of the points
May resolve spontaneously or progress to VF
During myocardial ischaemia what are some AP changes
All these changes are VARIABLE. All shorten ATP
- Na+/K+ ATPase reduced
- Transmemebrane K+ gradient reduced
- INa reduced
- Hyperkalemia(lots of K+ in the extracellular fluid) shortens AP duration (Increased [K+]o increases IKr)
- Activation of IKATP channels
Myocardial Infarction leads to a characteristic (though variable) and progressive ECG changes. These are
T wave changes
ST segment changes
QRS changes
T wave changes
1)Tall peaked T-waves due to K+ leaking from myocytes (same as hyperkalaemia)
- Not specific to MI
- Earliest signs of acute MI (so usually missed as you don’t ECG till later)
- Localised to the leads facing area of injury
- 5-30mins post-onset
2) Symmetrically inverted T-waves
- later (days)
- unknown mechanism
