Ecg terminology Flashcards
Ablation
The removal, isolation or destruction of cardiac tissue or conduction pathway involved in arrhythmias.
Algorithm
A set of precise rules or procedures programmed into a pacemaker or defibrillator that are designed to solve specific problem.
Anti-Arhythmic drugs
Medication that corrects irregular heartbeats and slows down heartbeats that’d be too fast
Anti-Tachycardia pacing (ATP)
Short, rabbit, carefully controlled sequence of pacing pulses delivered by an ICD and used to terminate a tachycardia in the atria or ventricles
Arrest (Cardiac)
Failure of the heart to pump blood through the body. If left untreated it is dangerous and life threatening
Arrhythmia
Any heart rhythm that falls outside acceptable norms
Atrial fibrillation (AF)
Very fast, disorganized heart rhythm that starts in the atria.
Atrial flutter (AFL)
Fast, organized, atrial rhythm
Atrial tachycardia (AT)
A rapid heart rate that starts in the atria (includes AF, AFL)
Atrioventricular Node (AV)
A section of specialized neuromuscular cells that are part of the normal conduction pathway between the atria and the ventricles l.
Atrioventricular Synchrony
The normal activation sequence of the heart in which the Atria can contract. Then, after a brief delay the ventricles contract. Optimizes the heart output of blood and produces the greatest efficiency of the cardiovascular system.
Atrium
The heart is divided into four chambers. Each of the two upper chambers is called the atrium. Either of the two upper chambers of the heart above the ventricles that receive blood from the veins and communicate with the ventricles through the tricuspid or mitral valve
Bradycardia (Bradyarrhythmia)
A heart rate that is abnormally slow, common defined as under 60 beats per minute or a rate that is too slow to physiologically support the person in their activities.
Cardiac arrest
Failure of the heart to pump blood through the body.
Cardioversion
The process of restoring the heart’s normal rhythm by applying a controlled electric shock to the exterior of the chest
Chronic lead
A pacemaker or ICD lead which has been implanted in the past
Chronotropic incompetence
The inability of the heart to increase its rate appropriately in the response to increased activity or metabolic need. EG exercise, illness
Defibrillation
The process in which an electric device sends an electric shock to stop an extremely rapid or irregular heartbeat and restore a normal heart rhythm
Diagnostics
Data gathered by an ICD or pacemaker to evaluate patients rhythm status, verify system operation, or assure appropriate delivery of therapy options
Dual chamber pacemaker
A pacemaker with two leads, one in the atrium and one in the ventricles to allow pacing or sensing and build chambers of the heart to artificially restore a natural contraction sequence of the heart
Electrocardiogram (ecg)
I print out from an electrocardiography machine, used to measure, then record the electrical activity in the heart
Electromagnetic interference (emi)
Equipment and appliances that use magnets and electricity have electromagnetic fields around them. If these fields are too strong, they may interfere with the operation of the ICD
Electrophysiology study (EP)
The use of program simulation protocols to assess the electrical activity of the heart and diagnose arrhythmias
Fibrillation
A chaotic and unsynchronized quivering of the heart during which no effective pumping occurs. Fibrillation may occur in the Atria or the ventricles
Heart block
A condition in which electrical impulses are conducted in the normal fashion from the Atria to the ventricles. May be caused by damage or disease processes within the heart.