EQUIPMENT-cardiac rhythm monitors Flashcards
What are the 3 internodal tracts that travel from the SA node to the AV node
- Anterior internodal tract (Bachmann bundle)
- Middle internodal tract (Wenckebach tract)
- Posterior internodal tract (Thorel tract)
Compare the conduction velocities of the cardiac conduction pathway from fastest to slowest
SA node AV node His Bundle Bundle branches Purkinje fibers Myocardial muscle cells
Conduction velocity is a function of what 3 factors
- Resting membrane potential
- Amplitude of the AP
- Rate of change in the membrane potential during phase 0
What 5 factors affect conduction velocity
- ANS tone
- Hyperkalemia induced closure of Na+ channels
- Ischemia
- Acidosis
- Antiarrhythmic drugs
Atrial depolarization occurs during which EKG events (2)
P wave (begins) Pr interval (ends)
Atrial repolarization occurs during which EKG event
QRS complex
Ventricular depolarization occurs during which EKG events
QRS complex (begins) ST segment (ends)
Ventricular repolarization occurs during which EKG events
T wave (begins) After T wave (ends)
P wave:
Duration=
Amplitude=
Duration= 0.08 - 0.12 sec Amplitude= <2.5 mm
PR interval
0.12 - 0.20 sec
Q wave:
Duration=
Amplitude=
Duration= < 0.04 sec Amplitude= <0.4 - 0.5 mm
QRS complex:
Duration=
Amplitude=
Duration= <0.10 sec Amplitude= progressive increase from V1 to V6
What does a biphasis P wave indicate
- Mitral stenosis
2. LA enlargement
What does a tall P wave suggest
- Cor pulmonale
2. RA enlargement
What does a prolonged PR interval indicate
1st degree HB
What does PR interval depression indicate
- Viral pericarditis
2. Atrial infarction
What 3 alterations in the Q wave can indicate MI
- Amplitude greater than 1/3 of R wave
- Duration > 0.04 sec
- Depth > 1 mm
What 4 abnormalities occurs with increased QRS complex duration
- LVH
- BBB
- Ectopy
- WPW
QTc interval:
Duration =
Men <0.45
Women < 0.47
What are 3 causes of elevated ST segment
- MI (> 1 mm)
- Hyperkalemia
- Endocarditis
Describe causes of negative T wave
- MI
2. BBB
What are 3 causes of peaked T wave
- MI
- LVH
- ICH
When is a U wave present
hypokalemia?
How is ST segment elevation or depression determined
By measuring the beginning (J point) relative to the PR segment
+/- 1 mm is significant
What 6 EKG changes occur with elevated K+
From early to late appearance
- Narrow, peaked T
- Short QT
- Wide QRS
- Low amplitude P
- Wide PR
- Nodal block
What 4 EKG changes occur with low K+
- U wave
- ST depression
- Flat T wave
- Long QT interval
What EKG changes occur when Ca++ is abnormal
High=
Low=
High= short QT Low= Long QT
What EKG changes occur when Mg++ is severely abnormal
High=
Low=
High= heart block, cardiac arrest Low= Long QT
What does a positive deflection indicate in EKG
Depolarization travels TOWARD positive electrode
What does a negative deflection indicate for EKGs
Depolarization travels AWAY from positive electrode
What does a biphasis deflection indicate for EKGs
Depolarization travels PERPENDICULAR to the positive electrode
What is the directionality of depolarization
Base to apex
Endocardium to epicardium
How does polarity of the myocyte change during depolarization
Myocyte goes from internally NEG to internally POS
This produces positive electrical current
What is the directionality of repolarization
Apex to base
Epicardium to endocardium
How does polarity of the myocyte change during repolarization
Myocyte foes from internally POS to internally NEG
Produces negative electrical current
Why is the T wave positively reflected during repolarization
Because repolarization travels in the opposite direction with a negative current (double negative)
What are the bipolar leads
Leads I, II, III
What are the limb leads
Leads aVR, aVL, aVF
What are the precordial leads
Leads V1 - V6
What do leads II, III, aVF monitor
Vessel and location
Inferior
RCA
What do leads I, aVL, V5, V6 monitor
Vessel and location
Lateral
CxA
What do leads V1 - V4 monitor
Vessel and location
Septum
LAD
What does the EKG axis represent
The direction of the mean electrical vector in the frontal plane
What is the easiest method to determine axis deviation
Examine lead I aVF