EKG interp, Ventricular dysrhythmias, AV blocks and med mgmt Flashcards
Atrioventricular Blocks (AV blocks)
- A delay or failed conduction of impulses from atria to ventricles
- Can occur in the AV node, Bundles of HIS and the bundle branches
- QRS will be normal at or above the bundles of his
- It is common to see rabbit ears in these patients: LBBB, can have a notching, or second peak of the R wave
Normal QT interval
0.4-0.43 sec
Normal R-R interval
0.6-1.0 seconds
60-100 bpm
AV blocks: Left bundle branch block
- Notching of the R wave can hide a STEMI
- Treat as if they have ACS unless proven otherwise
First degree block
- Signals are delayed in the AV node but are conducted to the ventricles
- PR interval over 0.2 seconds, consistent
- QRS is normal (0.1 or less)
- Atrial and ventricular rate is the same
Second degree block
- Mobitz I and Mobitz II, some impulses are conducted to the ventricles and some are blocked
*
Third degree AV block
All impulses are blocked and non are conducted to the ventricles
* P wave and QRS are independent of each other
* P waves appear across the rhythm strip hiding in QRS, ST or T wave, Consistent across the strip
* Inconsistent PR interval
* Atria rate higher than ventricular rate
* regular atrial and ventricular rhythm, just not together
How to determine the AV block
- Look for the P waves: (Is there one for each QRS or is there more than one?)
- Measure the regularity of the atrial rhythm (P-P interval) and the ventricular rhythm (R-R interval)
- Measure the PR interval (is it consistent?)
3.5 The PR is key to identifying the type of block - Measure the QRS complex
- Is it narrow or wide
- The lower the block in the conduction system, the wider the QRS and the slower the rate
How do you manage a first degree block
- You don’t, you just watch them to make sure they dont get worse, note in the chart
- Make sure the pt is stable
Second degree AV block: Mobitz I
- longer, longer, longer, drop now you have a wenckebach
- Each impulse has increasing difficulty passing through the AV node, until one impulse does not pass through and is blocked (PR interval increases more and more until a QRS complex is dropped)
- P wave is regular and occurs on schedule
- After a beat is dropped, the cycle repeated
- Ventricular rhythm is irregular due to the beat being dropped
- AV block is conducted through the AV node so QRS duration is normal
Mobitiz I mgmt
- If stable, no treatment
- Seen as intermittent benign rhythm
- Usually temp and resolves spontaneously
Causes of Mobitz I
- Acute inferior wall MI: From ischemia of the AV node
- Meds affecting rate and rhythm (CCB, BB, Dig)
- Hyperkalemia
Second Degree AV block: Mobitz II
- Failure of some SA impulses to be conducted through the AV node to the ventricles
- More than one P wave for each QRS complex
- PR ratio is the consistent however some impulses do not conduct resulting in more than one P wave per QRS complex
- Conduction disorder may be located in bundles of his or bundle branches
The PR ratio is huge
Mobitz II: Block is located in bundles of His
QRS complex is normal duration
Mobitz II: Block is located in the bundle branches
QRS is wide
Complications of Mobitz II
Potential to progress to third degree AV block or ventricular standstill with little to no warning
Causes of Mobitz II
- Anterior wall MI
- Acute myocarditis
- Degeneration of electrical conduction system occurring with aging
Mgmt of Mobitz II
- Address reversible causes first
- Pacemaker therapy, due to this block often being perm and its progression to third degree AV block
- External pacing is done for symptomatic Mobitz II until transversal pacing can be done
Atropine is not recommended especially if the QRS complexes are wide as it can further slow down rate
Reversible causes of nodal blocks: Mobitz II
- Medications: Dig, beta adrenergic blockers, CCB
- Electrolyte imbalances (hyperkalemia
- AV block due to a heart condition would make you adress the heart condition
Atropine
- Works on the SA node to increase HR in bradycardic patients
- Does not work on Mobitz II and below with the bundle branches , as it can worsen heart blocks
Third Degree AV Block: Block is located in the AV node or bundles of His
- QRS will be narrow
- Ventricular rate between 40-60
Third Degree AV Block: Block is located in the R/L bundle branches
- QRS is wide
- Ventricular rate less than 40
Atropine is not recommended
mgmt of third degree heart block
- External pacing can be used for Temp treatment of symptomatic complete heart block until transvenous pacing
- Perm pacemaker may be required for unresolved third degree AV block (due to anterior wall MI)
- Atropine is not recommended for a complete heart block with wide QRS complexes, can slow ventricular rate down further
- Vasopressors may be used to treat hypotension
Inferior MI: Third Degree AV block
- Can resolve on it own
Anterior MI: Third degree block
May require perm pacemaking