ECGs Flashcards
A wider P wave indicates what?
LA enlargement
A higher P wave amplitude indicates what?
RA enlargement
Increased amplitude of the R wave indicates what?
LV enlargement
A deep and wide S wave indicates what?
RV enlargement
What electrolyte abnormality would you suspect with increased amplitude of T waves?
Hyperkalemia
What electrolyte abnormality would you suspect with decreased T wave amplitudes that were biphasic?
Hypokalemia
What are some reasons you might see a depressed ST segment?
- Ischemia
- Electrolye abnormalities
- Digitalis toxicity
- Myocardial trauma
What might you suspect if you saw elevated ST segments?
ischemia
You should anticipate an increased risk of arrythmias in which patients?
- GDVs
- Pheos
- Hypovolemic
- GI FB
- DCM
- ARVC (Boxers)
What does this ECG indicate?
Sinus bradycardia (HR <60 in dogs or <100 in cats)
- note the consistent P and QRS complexes that are always related
What are some causes of sinus bradycardia?
- Opioids/alpha 2s
- Vagal reflex
- Hypertension (+++ sudden onset, due to baroreceptor reflex)
- Hypothermia
- Cushing’s response
- Hypoglycemia
- Hypoxia
- Hypothyroidism
- Hyperkalemia
What does this ECG indicate?
Sinus tachycardia
- HR >160 bpm in dogs, >240 bpm in cats
What are some causes of sinus tachycardia?
- Increased adrenergic tone (exercise, fear, anxiety, insufficient analgesia, “light” anesthetic plane)
- Hypovolemia
- Accidental bolus of beta agonist
- Anticholinergic
- Hyperthyroidism
- Pheo
- Hyperthermia
- Anemia
What are the hemodynamics consequences of sinus tachycardia?
- Hypertension
- Hypotension (decreased diastole—> reduced end-diastolic volume)
- Increased myocardial oxygen consumption = myocardial ischemia = arrhythmias
How do you treat sinus tachycardia?
Depends on the cause!
- analgesics, sedatives
- hypnotics
- discontinue beta agonist administration
- beta blocker (esmolol)
What does this ECG indicate?
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia
- patterned irregularity to QRS complexes
- Regularly irregular
- Shortening of the RR interval during inspiration and lengthening during expiration
What are some causes for respiratory sinus arrhythmias?
- May be associated with high vagal tone or opioid administration
- Normal at low HR in dogs
- Uncommon in cats - often associated with upper resp tract obstruction
What does this ECG indicate?
Wandering pacemaker
- variable P wave morphology
- Often seen alongside respiratory sinus arrhythmia
When should you treat wandering pacemakers or respiratory sinus arrhythmias?
If hypotension is present, then anitcholinergics should be used
What does this ECG indicate?
Atrial premature complexes
- P wave can be biphasic
- Common with LA enlargement
What is a hemodynamic consequence of APCs?
Smaller pulse wave due to insufficient fill time
What drug might you consider avoiding if your patient’s ECG is demonstrating APCs?
Opioids, since high doses of them may increase the frequency of APCs
What does this ECG indicate?
1st degree AV block
- prolonged PQ interval
- normal QRS
- caused by high vagal tone
- Treatment = none vs. anticholinergics
What does this ECG indicate?
2nd degree AV block Mobitz type I (Wenkenbach)
- progressively prolonged PQ followed by a non conducted P wave
What are the causes of a 2nd degree AV block Mobitz type I?
- High vagal tone
- opioids
- alpha 2s
- Cushing’s response
How do you treat a Mobitz I 2nd degree AV block?
- None if occasional and in absence of hemodynamic consequences
- anticholinergics can be administered if BP is low
- mannitol or HSS to decrease ICP if Cushing’s response suspected