Heart Valve Disease and cardiac arrythmias Flashcards
what valves are most likely to have problems and why
bicuspid (mitral) and aortic as they are under the most pressure
what causes valve disease
congenital abnormalities
myocardial infarction
rheumatic fever (immunological reaction to streptococci that can damage heart valves)
what are the two types of valve replacement
metal (mechanical)
tissue (porcine)
metal vs tissue valve replacement
metal = long life - 30 yrs , requires anticoagulant e.g warfarin, makes ticking noise
tissue - short life - under 10yrs , no anticoagulant required, silent action
what disease to prosthetic valves increase the risk of
infective endocarditis
should consider antibiotic prophylaxis
tachy arrythmias vs bradyarrythmias
tachy = fast HR brady = slow HR
how do tachycardias impare heart function
reduce diastole filling time
what pulse is characteristic of atrial fibrillation
irregularly irregular
heart block
slow / no conduction through AV node to ventricles of impulse from SA node
different levels of block 1st - 3rd degree that classifies length of delay
3rd degree = complete heart block as no impulse pasing to ventricles
what drug can induce bradyarrythmias
beta blockers , a common cause for a low pulse
what are pacemakers used to treat
used to treat bradyarrythmias
if HR drops below a certain point pacemaker will activate
what are internal defibrillators good for
unstable cardiac rhythms
what is the function of defibrillators
reorder existing electrical activity
asystole
no electrical activity and no cardiac output
cant use defib , treatment = adrenaline
ventricular fibrillation
unstable heart electrical rhythm
electrical activity but no order therefore a defib can be used
