electrophysiology

Question 1

what is the P wave?

Answer 1

atrial depolarization

Question 2

what is the QRS complex?

Answer 2

ventricular depolarization

Question 3

what is the T wave?

Answer 3

ventricular repolarization (filling stage)

Question 4

how do we determine HR from ECG?

Answer 4

count large squares between QRS complexes

300 / number or large squares

Question 5

what BP is considered to be unsafe to workout?

Answer 5

• systolic = >/= 160
• diastolic = >/= 90

Question 6

what is the equation for age-predicted max heart rate?

Answer 6

220-age

Question 7

what is the equation for 70-85% of HR max?

Answer 7

70% = 220- age x 0.7

85% = 220 - age x 0.85

Question 8

what is cardiac electrophysiology?

Answer 8

the science of elucidating, diagnosing, and treating the electrical activities of the heart

Question 9

what is the electrophysiology procedure?

Answer 9

• insert catheter
• record the hearts electrical signals
• pace the heart

Question 10

what are premature atrial contractions?

Answer 10

an arrhythmia that occurs when an electrical impulse triggers an extra or early beat in the atria

• detected by ECG
• extra beat happens before the p wave

Question 11

what are the symptoms of premature atrial contractions?

Answer 11

• flutter in the chest
• fatigue after exercise
• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• light headedness/dizziness

Question 12

what is atrial flutter?

Answer 12

an electrical issue that originates in the atria

• the right atrium beats extra fast
• AKA supraventricular tachycardia
• can lead to serious health issues since the blood doesn’t pump efficiently = risk of stroke

Question 13

what are the symptoms of atrial flutter?

Answer 13

• palpitations
• SOB
• dizziness
• a feeling that their heart is pounding
• often arises from cardiovascular diseases

Question 14

what do you see on an ECG to detect atrial flutter?

Answer 14

positive deflections that occur before the QRS complex that are much more frequent which exemplify the abnormally fast beats originating in the atria

Question 15

what is atrial fibrillation (AFib)

Answer 15

• the most common cardiac arrhythmia
• the atria beat chaotically and irregularly, out of sync with the ventricles

Question 16

what are symptoms of AFib?

Answer 16

• general fatigue
• rapid and irregular heartbeat
• fluttering/thumping in the chest
• dizziness
• SOB

Question 17

what does an ECG look like with someone with AFib?

Answer 17

chaotic and irregular atrial beat

Question 18

describe premature ventricular contractions (PVC)

Answer 18

• a normal heart beat will occur followed by an extra beat, a pause, then a stronger than normal beat
• during the pause, the heart fills with more blood which creates a more forceful next beat
• can occue at any age in healthy/unhealthy populations

Question 19

what are symptoms of PVCs?

Answer 19

• palpations or more specific complaints of feeling the heart has skipped a beat
• can cause pain/discomfort in the chest

Question 20

what does an ECG look like for PVC?

Answer 20

there will be an increased force of the PVC resulting from the higher blood filling that occurs during the pause

Question 21

what are ways to manage arrythmias?

Answer 21

• medications
• invasive therapies
• electrical devices
• heart surgery
• lifestyle changes

Question 22

how does medication help manage arrythmias?

Answer 22

• can be used to convert the arrythmia to a normal rhythm or prevent the arrhythmia
• heart rate control drugs and anti coagulants can be used to reduce the risk of blood clots

Question 23

how does invasive therapies help manage arrhythmias?

Answer 23

• can be used to manage the condition by electrical cardioversion and catheter ablation procedures
• ex: ablation = energy is delivered through the catheter to small areas of the heart where the problem is

Question 24

describe cardiac ablation

Answer 24

• a procedure that scars tissue in the heart to block abnormal electrical signals = restore normal heart rhythm
• catheters threaded through blood vessels to the heart

Question 25

describe electrical devices to manage arrhythmias

Answer 25

• permanent pacemaker = send small electrical impulses to the heart to maintain a normal heart rate
  
  • used to prevent heart fron beating too slow
• implantable cardioverter-defibrillatory (ICD) = constantly montiors the patients heart rhythm and when it detects a fast rhythe,, it will deliver energy to the heart to return to normal state
  
  • treat ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation

Question 26

what are the 3 types of AFib?

Answer 26

1. paroxysmal
2. persistant
3. permanent

Question 27

what is paroxymal AFib?

Answer 27

the kind of AFib that terminates sponteneuously or with intervention within 7 days of it’s onset

Question 28

what is persistent AFib?

Answer 28

AFib that is continuously sustained beyond 7 days, including episodes that are terminated by cardioversion after 7 days or more

Question 29

what is permanent AFib?

Answer 29

no further attempts to restore normal rhythm is undertaken

• refferred to as the acceptance type

Question 30

what is the FITT principle for AFib?

Answer 30

• F = 3-5 days per week
• I = less than or equal to 95% peak HR
• T = 120-200 minutes per week
• T = combination of aerobic and resistance training