Electrical axis and chamber enlargement, atrial dysrhythmias, ventricular dysrhythmias Flashcards
What is normal axis location
down and to pt left
What are the vectors from LV like compared to RV
LV vectors larger and persist longer
How do you determine QRS axis
4 quadrant method: Lead I and aVF
Locations of 4 quadrants/axis
Axis: deg range (Lead I, Lead avF)
Normal: 0 to +90 deg (+,+)
LAD: 0 to -90 deg (+,-)
RAD: +90 to +180 (-,+)
indeterminate/extreme: -90 to -180 (-.-)
What are the degree locations of the different leads
Lead I: 0 deg Lead II: 60 deg (normal quad) avF: 90 deg Lead III (+120 deg) (RAD) aVR: -150 deg (extreme) avL: -30 deg (LAD)
if mean QRS axis is + in Lead I then you know….
axis is bw -90 and +90 degrees
If mean QRS axis is + in aVF you know….
the axis is bw 0 and +180 deg
If mean QRS is + in both Lead I and aVF you know
axis is bw 0 and +90 deg
- if net upright QRS in Lead I = Lead aVF, mean QRS axis is +45 deg
- if deflection lead I more positive than aVF, then lies closer to lead I (bw 0-45 deg) and vice versa
If QRS complex is isoelectric in any limb lead then (positive deflection = negative deflection)
the axis is about 90 deg AWAY from the limb lead
Most common causes of LAD
- left anterior hemiblock
- left ventricular hypertrophy
other: hyperkalemia, diffuse myocardial disease
*horizontal heart in obese or pregnant individuals
Common causes of RAD
- can be normal in kids and tall thin adults (“vertical heart shifts QRS axis to +90)
- RVH
- chronic lung disease
- left posterior hemiblock
Hypertrophy vs enlargement (*note: can exist together)
Hypertrophy: implies thickening of wall, usually due to increased effort against high pressure (high BP, stenotic valve)
Enlargement/dilatation: often due to stretching of cardiac chamber from volume overload (LAE due to Mitral insufficiency/MR)
P wave: normal, RAE, LAE, biatrial enlargement
normal: amp 0.5-2.5 mm, 0.06-0.1 sec duration
RAE: amp >2.5 mm (p pulmonale)
LAE: duration > 0.1 sec (p mitrale)
Biatrial enlargement: increased amp and duration
criteria/dx of RAE
- use Leads II and VI
- P wave > 2.5mm
- if P wave biphasic and initial component is taller than terminal component
#help: 2 to 6 hours LAEs in RAEs of sun
Indications and clues for RAE
- Presence of RVH
- R wave greater than S in V1
- RAD
Clinical conditions with RAE
- pulmonic stenosis
- Tricuspid stenosis
- Tricuspid regurgitation
Criteria/dx LAE
*use Leads II and VI
*P wave >0.1 sec duration (usually Lead II); often with notching “P mitrale”
*terminal portion of P wave in VI is: negative, >0.04 sec duration, and >1mm deep
#help: 2 to 6 hours LAEs n RAEs of sun
Normal QRS complex
amplitude: 5-30 mm
Duration: 0.06-0.11 sec
*normal Q wave duration <0.04 sec
RVH vs LVH
RVH much less common, and usually due to pulmonary HTN or pulmonary stenosis
RAD occurs due to increased thickness of RV
criteria/dx for RVH
- Use V1 sometimes V6
- RAD (-,+)
- R wave > S wave in V1 (R usually >7mm)
- S wave > R wave in V6 (not require)
note: starting with V1 the R waveforms take upward deflection but moving toward V6, waveforms take downward deflection
criteria/dz LVH
*use V1, 2, 5, 6, AVL, Lead I, Lead III
*sum of deepest S in V1 or V2 + tallest R in V5 or 6 totals > 35mm
*R in aVL > 11mm
R in Lead I + S in Lead III >25mm
What is a potential negative SE of sinus bradycardia if the HR slows to the point where CO drops sufficiently
Hypotension can result
- pt less tolerant of rates <45 bpm
- sinus bradycardia is often insignificant
Normal sinus rhythm newborn
110- 150 bpm (160 in premees)
normal sinus rhythm 2 yr
85-125 bpm
NSR 4 yr old
75-115 bpm
NSR 6 yr old
60-100 bpm (same as adult)
What is the significance of sinus tachycardia clinically
- often of no clinical significance
- can increase myocardial O2 consumption (which can aggravate ischemia –> chest pain, and infarction esp in those with CVD
What is sinus dysrhythmia
aka sinus arrhythmia
- same as NSR except patterned irregularity
- cycle of slowing then speeding up then slowing again
The beat to beat variation of sinus dysrhythmia is produced by what and corresponds with what
produced by irregular firing of the SA node; usually corresponds with respiratory cycle and changes in intrathoracic pressure (HR increases during inspiration and decreases during expiration)
What are some general conditions that sinus dysrhythmia can occur in..?
Can occur naturally in athletes, children and older adults
Also: pt with HD or inferior wall MI, medications ie digitalis and morphine, increased intracranial pressure
What is the clinical significance and sx of sinus dysrhythmia?
Usually none and has no sx
Some pt and conditions are assoc with palpitations, dizziness and syncope
What is sinus arrest and what does it cause?
SA node transiently stops firing
Causes short periods of cardiac standstill until lower level pacemaker d/c or SA node resumes normal function
What is the exact dx for a sinus pause? a sinus arrest?
Sinus pause: 1-2 beats dropped
Sinus arrest: 3 or more beats dropped
What is the most prominent characteristic of a sinus arrest? What usually follows?
A pause in ECG rhythm producing irregularity
*rhythm usually resumes normal appearance after pause unless escape pacemaker resumes the rhythm
What are some different names for sinus node dysfunction and what is it/who does it affect?
“sick sinus syndrome” or “brady-tachy syndrome”
- primarily elderly due to degeneration of SA node
- periods of bradycardia, tachycardia, prolonged pauses or alternating brady and tachy
What is tx for sinus node dysfunction/ sick sinus syndrome
tx may require pacemaker for slow rhythms and meds for fast rhythms
Where do atrial dysrhythmias originate
atrial tissue or internodal pathways DUH :)
What types of atrial dysrhythmias are common
PAC, a Flutter, a fib, a. tachy, wandering atrial pacemaker, multifocal atrial tachycardia
What 3 mechanisms are believed to cause atrial dysrhythmias?
Automaticity
Triggered activity
Reentery (pathways that go both ways not just down)
What effect on heart contraction and circulation/perfusion can atrial dysrhythmias have
atrial dysrhythmias can affect ventricular filling time and diminish strength of atrial contraction/kick
Can lead to decreased CO and thus tissue perfusion
What are some key characteristics to look for on EKG strip to distinguish atrial dysrhythmias
- P waves that different in appearance from normal sinus P waves
- abnormal, shortened, or prolonged PR intervals
- narrow or normal QRS complex
What is a wandering Atrial pacemaker and how does it show on an EKG
Pacemaker site shifts bw SA node, atria and/or AV junction
*produces P waves that change in appearance
(norm rate, rhythm slightly irregular, changing P wave, normal QRS, PR interval varies)
What is the cause and clinical significance of a wandering atrial pacemaker?
Usually caused by inhibitory vagal effect of respiration on SA node and AV junction
- norm in children, older adults and well conditioned athletes; usu not significant
- may be related to organic HD and drug toxicity, specifically digitalis/digoxin
What are PACs?
early ectopic beats originating outside SA node
(irregular rhythm, P waves different (upright in lead II but diff morphology), QRS norm, PR varies)
noncompensatory pause
what makes PACs unique?
- *p waves FOLLOWED BY NONCOMPENSATORY PAUSE
* this is diff from PVC which have a compensatory pause
what exactly is a noncompensatory pause?
Pause where there are less than 2 full R-R intervals bw R wave of normal beat which preceds the PAC and the R wave of the first normal beat that follows it (doesn’t stay on track; tip of caliper fails to line up with next R wave)
How should we address PAC’s in pt with healthy hearts
isolated PACs in pt with healthy hearts are considered insignificant
*asymp pt usually only require obs
How should we address PAC’s in pt with HD
Be aware that PAC’s in pt with HD may predispose pt to more serious atrial dysrhythmias
- a tachycardia
- a flutter
- a fib