Heart Electrophysiology Flashcards
What are intercalated disks composed of
desmosomes and gap junctions
What does electrical activity spread through
gap junctions
Where are gap junctions found
nodal cells, conducting cells and myocytes
Where is electrical activity initiated
sino atrial node
What is the function of sino atrial node
determine heart rate
Where is the sino atrial node located
right side, junction between superior vena cava and right atrium
Describe the pathway of electrical signals in the heart
right then left atrium, through the inter atrial tract to the AV node, down the bundle of His, into purkinje fibres to ventricular muscle cells
What does the spread of electrical activity occur through from right to left side
Bachmann’s bundle
Which atrium contracts fractionally faster than the other one
right atrium
What are the three subzones of the AV node
atrial nodal, nodal, nodal ventricular
Why does the electrical signal slow down at the AV node
generate an atrio ventricular delay - allows atria to finish contracting
What is the function of AV refractoriness
prevent excess ventricular contraction
What is the relationship between heart rate and AV refractoriness
inverse relationship
What is the effect of increased HR on AV node firing ability
as HR increases, ability of AV node to fire decreases
What is the effect of increased HR on AV refractoriness
increased HR increases AV refractoriness
Describe the pathway of electrical activitiy
specific pathway