EKG Flashcards
Normal PR Interval
0.12 - 0.2 seconds (5 small squares)
Where is the electrical impulse generated from if the EKG is showing normal sinus rhythm?
SA node
PR interval for sinus bradycardia
Normal (0.12 - 0.2 seconds)
Where is the electrical impulse generated from in the EKG is showing normal sinus rhythm?
Could possibly be the AV node but could also be the SA node
Sinus Bradycardia Treatments
If patient is symptomatic:
- Atropine 0.5 mg IVP every 3-5 minutes with maximum total dose of 3 mg
- Transcutaneous pacing
Possible Symptoms a Bradycardic Patient might experience
- Hypotension
- Diaphoretic
- Drowsiness
- Cyanotic/Dusky
Causes of Sinus Bradycardia
- Lower metabolic needs
- Vagal stimulation
- Medications
- Increased ICP
- MI
- Hypovolemia
- Hypoxia
- Hypo/hyperkalemia
- Hypothermia
- Toxins
- Cardiac tamponade
- Tension pneumothorax
- Thrombosis
- Trauma
HR range for sinus tachycardia
More than 100 but less than 120
PR interval for sinus tachycardia
Normal (0.12 - 0.20 seconds)
Causes of Sinus Tachycardia
- Physiologic or psychological stress
- Medications
- Stimulants
- Illicit Drugs
- Autonomic dysfunction
Physiologic or Psychological Stress that can Cause Sinus Tachycardia
- Acute blood loss
- Shock
- Fever
- Exercise
- Anxiety
- Fluid overload
Medications that can cause Sinus Tachycardia
- Catecholamine’s
- Aminophylline
- Atropine
Stimulants that can cause Sinus Tachycardia
- Caffeine
2. Nicotine
Illicit drugs that can cause Sinus Tachycardia
- Cocaine
2. Ecstacy
Treatment for Sinus Tachycardia
- Correct the cause
- Beta-blockers
- Calcium-channel blockers
What does Atrial Flutter look like on an EKG?
Saw tooth or picket fence appearance
Is the rhythm regular or irregular for atrial flutter?
Regular
Atrial Flutter Rate
- Atrial rate ranges from 250 to 400
2. Ventricular rate ranges from 75 to 150
PR interval for Atrial Flutter
Not measurable
Causes of Atrial Flutter
- COPD
- Valvular disease
- Thyrotoxicosis (thyroid storm)
- S/P Cardiac Surgery
Treatment of Atrial Flutter
- Vagal maneuvers
- Adenosine
- Electrical cardioversion
- Catheter ablation
S/Sx of Atrial Flutter
- Patient may or may not be symptomatic
- Chest pain
- SOB
- Decreased BP
* If a patient is asymptomatic, they might just put them on an anticoagulant but possibly no other therapy
Atrial Fibrillation Rhythm
Irregularly irregular
Atrial Fibrillation Rate
- Atrial rate from 300 to 600
2. Ventricular rate from 120 to 200
PR interval for atrial fibrillation
Not measurable
Causes of Atrial Fibrillation
- Valvular heart disease
- Inflammatory or infiltrative disease
- CAD
- HTN
- Heart failure
- Hyperthyroidism
- Pulmonary HTN
- Pulmonary embolism
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- S/P cardiac or pulmonary surgery
Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
- Electrical cardioversion
- Amiodarone
- Flecainide
- Propafenone
- Ibutilide
- Catheter ablation
- Antithrombotic therapy
Special Consideration for a patient with Atrial Fibrillation
First obtain an H/P, how long has the patient been in this rhythm or is it new onset?
Supraventricular Tachycardia Rhythm
Regular
Supraventricular Tachycardia Rate
140 - 220
PR interval for Supraventricular Tachycardia
Depends on site of supraventricular pacemaker (where is the impulse coming from)
Where is the electrical impulse coming from in a patient with SVT
Impulses stimulating the heart are not being generated by the SA node, but instead are coming from a collection of tissue around and involving the AV node
Causes of SVT
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
- Hypoxemia
- Stress
- CAD
- Cardiomyopathy
Treatment of SVT
- Vagal maneuvers
- Adenosine (6 mg, then 12 mg)
- Calcium channel blockers
- Cardioversion
Premature Ventricular Complex Rhythm
Depends on the underlying rhythm
Premature Ventricular Complex Rate
Irregular due to early QRS
PR interval for Premature Ventricular Complex
Normal (0.12 - 0.20 seconds)
Causes of Premature Ventricular Complex (PVC)
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
- Alcohol
- Cardiac ischemia or infarction
- Heart failure
- Digitalis toxicity
- Hypoxia
- Acidosis
- Electrolyte imbalances
Treatment for PVC
- If the patient has no underlying disease or infrequent changes, no treatment is required
- Amiodarone
- Lidocaine
* if not treated, they can progress to V-tach
PVC’s can cause problems if…
- More than 6 per minute
- Multifocal/polymorphic
- Occur 2 in a row
- Occur on the T wave
Ventricular Tachycardia Rhythm
Regular
Ventricular Tachycardia Rate
Range from 100 to 200
Causes of Ventricular Tachycardia
- CNS disease
- Hypokalemia
- Hypocalcemia
- Hypomagnesemia
Treatment of Ventricular Tachycardia
- Cardioversion if patient has a pulse
- Defibrillation if patient is pulseless
- Replace electrolytes
- Amiodarone
- Isuprel
Ventricular Fibrillation Rhythm
Extremely Irregular
Ventricular Fibrillation Rate
Greater than 300
Causes of Ventricular Fibrillation
- CAD
- MI
- Untreated V-tach
- Cardiomyopathy
- Vavlular heart disease
- Acid-base imbalance
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Electrical shock
Treatment of Ventricular Fibrillation
Defibrillation