Heart Arrhythmias

Question 1

Arrhythmia

Answer 1

Any heart rhythm that is not normal sinus rhythm. Results from an abnormality of impulse formation or impulse conduction throughout the cardiac tissue.

Question 2

Ectopic focus

Answer 2

A source of impulse formation other than the SA node. An ectopic beat occurs as a result of the conduction of an impulse from an abnormal focus.

Question 3

Reentrant Tachycardia

Answer 3

A fast-paced arrhythmia in which an impulse is conducted in one direction and returns via another limb of the pathway, forming a circuit. Three criteria must be present for reentry to occur: 1) Myocardial tissue forms a circuit with two limbs (one may or may not be congenital). 2) The impulse is conducted faster in one limb than the other. 3) The refractory times are different in the two limbs.

Question 4

Focal Tachycardia

Answer 4

A fast-paced arrhythmia originating from a single ectopic focus.

Question 5

Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)

Answer 5

A type of rapid heart rhythm originating in the atria, at or above the atrioventricular (AV) node.

Question 6

Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)

Answer 6

A type of rapid heart rhythm originating in the ventricles, below the bifurcation of the bundle of His.

Question 7

Atrial Tachycardia (AT)

Answer 7

An arrhythmia originating from a single focus (or multiple foci) that beats at a rate of 150-250 beats/minute.

Question 8

Atrial Flutter

Answer 8

A reentrant arrhythmia that is characterized by an atrial rate of 250-350 beats/minute.

Question 9

Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT)

Answer 9

An arrhythmia in which there is a slow and fast pathway within the AV node.

Question 10

Atrioventricular Reentrant Tachycardia (AVRT)

Answer 10

An arrhythmia in which there is an extra electrical pathway linking the atria and ventricles.

Question 11

Atrial Fibrillation (AF)

Answer 11

A common arrhythmia characterized by chaotic contractions of the atria. Also known as A-Fib.

Question 12

Idiopathic

Answer 12

Describes arrhythmia occurring in structurally normal hearts.

Question 13

Ischemic

Answer 13

Describes arrhythmia arising from scar tissue following a heart attack induced by restricted blood supply.

Question 14

Bundle-Branch Reentrant Tachycardia (BBRT)

Answer 14

A rare arrhythmia resulting from abnormal conduction between the bundle branches.

Question 15

Right Ventricular Outflow Tract (RVOT)

Answer 15

An arrhythmia originating from the outflow tract of the right ventricle. Usually idiopathic.

Question 16

Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)

Answer 16

A potentially fatal arrhythmia characterized by chaotic, fast-paced contractions of the ventricles. Also known as V-Fib.

Question 17

Orthodromic

Answer 17

A type of Atrioventricular Reentrant Tachycardia (AVRT) in which conduction travels antegrade through the AV node and retrograde through an accessory pathway.

Question 18

Antidromic

Answer 18

A type of Atrioventricular Reentrant Tachycardia (AVRT) in which conduction travels retrograde through the AV node and antegrade through an accessory pathway.

Question 19

Monomorphic

Answer 19

Describes ventricular tachycardia that arises from a single ectopic focus, and is sustained through a reentry loop that was not caused by ischemia.

Question 20

Polymorphic

Answer 20

Describes ventricular tachycardia that arises from multiple foci and is commonly caused by ischemia.

Question 21

Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC)

Answer 21

A premature beat occurring in the atrium, outside of the sinus node.

Question 22

Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC)

Answer 22

A premature beat occurring in the ventricles, earlier than expected, characterized by a wide complex.