ECG Flashcards
SA node
primary pacemaker of the heart
SA node location
located in the superior right atrium at the entrance of the superior vena cava
SA node intrinsic rate
60 to 100 bpm
Intra-Atrial Tracts/Pathway
creates preferred routes of propagation
Bachman’s Bundle
anterior tract divided and extends to the LA
AV node
- only normal conduction pathway to the ventricles
- secondary pacemaker if SA nodal rate suppressed
- calcium is the major ion responsible for the action potential
Triangle of Koch
located in the floor of the right atrium superior to the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve
Purposes of delay at AV node
- allows for atrial contraction
- protects the ventricles from inappropriate high atrial rates
Bundle of His
most proximal portion of the ventricular conduction system
Purkinje Fibers
terminal end of entire conduction system
AV node intrinsic rate
40 to 60 bpm
Purkinje Fibers intrinsic rate
20 to 40 bpm
Action Potential (contractile tissue)
- the sodium-potassium ATPase pump maintains the negative resting potential
- resume the pre-depolarization electrolyte levels by exchanging 3 sodium ions out for 2 potassium ions into the cell
- active process requiring magnesium and energy (ATP)
Phase 0
- rapid depolarization of the cell
- Na+ rushes into cell, making it “less negative”
Phase 2
- “plateau” phase
- slowing of depolarization
- calcium enters cell, leading to contraction of the muscle is sustained, slower manner
Phase 3
- sudden acceleration in the rate of depolarization
- potassium movement into cell causes this rapid return in intracellular negativity
- Sodium-potassium pump operates at this phase
- required ATP and magnesium
Pacemaker Cell Action Potential
Funny channels
Orthodromic
traveling in the normal direction and then back up the accessary pathway
Antidromic
traveling in opposite direction to the normal pathway
PR interval
impulse transmission from SA node throughout the atria and to the AV node
PR interval normal range
0.12 to 0.20 seconds
QRS complex
depolarization of the ventricular myocardium
QRS duration
less than 0.12 seconds
Rate ruler
easiest with least amount of math involved