Heart and Circulation Flashcards
Describe the phases of the cardiac AP in muscle cells
0 - upshoot;rapid Na influx
1 - early repolarisation; cesation of Na influx
2 - plateau - Ca influx
3 - repolarisation - K+ efflux
4 - back to RMP, Balance of ongoing K+ efflux vs Na influx - close to Em for K of -90mV
The rate of rise of the AP in SA and AV node is slower than in myocytes because….
It is due to Ca current only
Speed of conduction in SA and AV nodes
0.05m/s
Normal axis is between
+110 and -30
The chest ECG leads are located…
V1 R 4th ICS, sternal boarder V2 L 4th ICS, sternal boarder V3 L 4th ICS, mid clav line V4 apex - 5th ICS V5 5th rib lateral V6 ?ant ax line
How does vagal stimulation slow the heart rate
Opens K+ channels (M2, Ach, G protein, cAMP) - antagonises the funny current - slows rate of rise of pacemaker potential
How does sympathetic stimulation increase the heart rate
NA - B1 receptors, - cAMP - opening of L type calcium channels increases the rate of rise of the pacemaker potential
PR interval duration
0.12 - 0.2
Does the PR interval change with heart rate?
yes - at rest 0.18 - at 130/min - 0.14
QRS duration
< 0.1s
QT interval
<0.43s
Long PR interval is called
first degree heart block
LAFB ecg findings?
Left axis deviation, widened qrs
LPFB ecg findings?
Right axis deviation, widened qrs
dropped QRS complexes, PR interval constant
Second Degree Heart Block Type 2. Dangerous - block almost always occuring in the distal his-perkionje system and may progress to 3rd degree block - if it does, it is likely no escape rhythm will generate
dropped QRS complexes, PR lengthens until dropped beat
Second Degree Heart Block Type 1 (WenckeBack), usually medically benign - unlikely to progress to complete HB. Almost always a disease of the AV node
Bundle of Kent
An extra abnormal bundle of conducting fibres between the atria and ventricles
HR in atrial tachycardia
up to 220/min
HR in Atrial Flutter
200-350/min - due to large counter-clockwise movement in the R atrium - produces the saw tooth pattern on ECG
What is the max conduction rate of the AV node?
230/min
Atrial rate in AF?
300-500 beats/min. The AV node discharges at irregular intervals producing a ventricular rate usually 80-160/min
why do fast heart rates cause 1) heart failure and 2) angina
1) HF due to insufficient time for ventricular filling - cardiac output decreases
2) The coronary arteries are perfused only during diastole - with fast rates, diastole is shortened more than systole.
Vagal stimulation has what effects on the AV node?
Increases the degree of AV block - lowers the ventricular rate in tachyarrythmias
Why is the t wave a dangerous time to give a shock
Some of the ventricular muscle is depolarised, some repolarised, some is incompletely repolarised - perfect conditions for setting up a circus movement - VF