Identifying some basic disturbances of rhythm Flashcards
what is a vector
a quantity that has both magnitude and direction
why can’t we see the atrial repolarisation as we can see the ventricular repolarisation?
QRS is hiding it. Time wise it will happen in the QRS.
What heart rate is considered bradycardia and tachycardia?
Bradycardia = < 60 bpm Tachycardia = > 100 bpm
What is the difference between segments and intervals?
Segments are isoelectric regions between two waveforms.
- PR segment
- pause between atrial and ventricular depolarisation - ST segment
- is isoelectric
- any changes in potential during this segment could indicate myocardial infarction or ischaemia
Interval is the time between the start of one wave and the start of the next.
What is the sweep speed of ECG?
25 mm/s
What does a 1mm box represent?
How wide is a small square and a large square and what time interval does that represent?
X-axis: 1mm box = 0.04s.
Y-axis: 1mm = 0.1mV
Small Square = 0.04 s (1 mm)
Large Square = 0.2 s (5 mm)
What’s the duration and amplitude of a normal P wave?
Duration = < 0.11 s Amplitude = < 2.5 mm
What is the duration of a normal PR interval?
- 12 - 0.20 s
- If prolonged could show abnormal conduction in the ventricles
What is the duration and amplitude of a normal QRS complex?
Duration = < 0.12 s (<120ms) Amplitude = < 25 mm
What is the normal range for the cardiac axis?
-30 to + 90
What is the duration and amplitude of a normal Q wave?
Duration = < 0.04 s Amplitude = < 25% of the total QRS complex
What is the duration of a normal QT interval?
0.38-0.42 seconds
What does a QRS complex with a large amplitude indicate?
Ventricular Hypertrophy
what does prolonged PR interval indicate?
Abnormal conduction in the ventricles
what should the ST segment look like?
The ST segment should be isoelectric so any changes in potential during the ST segment could suggest myocardial ischaemia or infarction.
What are the ECG features of sinus tachycardia and what is this?
- It is an abnormally fast resting heart rate.
- Sinus tachycardia comes from the sinus node.
- form of the waves is normal but the rate is fast.
- Normal waveforms
- Abnormally fast resting heart rate
- Atrial and Ventricular Rate = 100- 200 bpm
What are the ECG features of atrial fibrillation and what is this? Include atrial rate and ventricular rate in your answer.
The beat is irregular and the pattern of the irregular heart beat is also irregular.
The duration between the QRS complexes is inconsistent.
ABSENT P WAVES (may get an oscillating baseline)
Irregular ventricular rhythm (duration between QRS varies)
Could be high or normal ventricular rate
QRS complexes are normal
Atrial Rate = 350-600 bpm
Ventricular rate = 100-180 bpm
What is the sinus rhythm (normal)?
- Each p wave is followed by QRS complex (1:1)
- Rate is regular (even R-R intervals) and normal (83 bpm)
- Otherwise unremarkable
- Normal ECG
What is sinus bradycardia?
- Each P-wave is followed by a QRS wave (1:1)
- Rate is regular (even R-R intervals) and slow (56 bpm)
- Can be healthy, caused by medication or vagal stimulation
What is sinus tachycardia?
- A sinus trachycardia is a fast resting heart rate, originates at the sinus node (pacemaker)
- Each P-wave is followed by a QRS wave (1:1) so no loss of conduction
- Wave form is normal, PR interval is normal
- Rate is regular (even R-R intervals) and fast (107 bpm)
- Atrial and Ventricular Rate = 200 bpm
Usually you can’t get a healthy tachycardia
Often a physiological response (i.e. over reactive adrenal gland, hyperactive sympathetic nervous system. )
Loss of blood