Lab 3 Questions - EKG Flashcards
Why is the myocardium able to contract?
Due to the cells being electrically conductive which allows them to squeeze
How does the myocardium get stimulated if it is electrically conductive?
Self-stimulation in the absence of neural input; A.K.A. Automaticity
What cells in the right atrium regulate the electrical cycle of the myocardium?
SA node and AV node (made of specialized cells)
Explain the transmission of a signal from the SA node
- SA node initiates electrical signal spreading across right and left atria (causes contraction of atria)
- Signal sent to AV node (base of atria) where conduction velocity is slowed (makes sure entirety of atria is contracted)
- Signal then rapidly transmitted over to Bundle of His
- Splits and forms Left and Right Bundle branches
- Impulse conducted to apex of ventricles where network of thin, branching Purkinje Fibres transmit the electrical signal to ventricular muscle to contract both ventricles
Isoelectric activity means?
When the voltage is 0
* PR, ST and TP segmen are periods of isoelectric activity
Explain each segment & complex on an EKG. Note issues that can occur along the EKG
- Mass depolarization of atrial muscle fibres creates P-wave (precedes atrial contraction)
- PR Interval - Interval between P wave and initiation of QRS complex (too long = AV node block); Time required for depolarization of atria and AV node
- PR segment - Zero voltage; delay in conduction of electrical signal through AV node (allows atria to contract and ventricles to fully fill)
- QRS complex - Rapid depolarization of ventricular muscle fibres; Too long = Bundle branch conduction or Ventricular hypertrophy
- ST segment - 0 Voltage; Rapid ejection of blood from ventricles (A.K.A. Ventricular Systole); Too long = myocardial ischemia
- T wave - Electrical changes associated with ventricular repolarization (Repolarization time > Depolarization time)
- TP segment - Zero voltage; Ventricles early diastole ==> Filling with blood
Purpose of ECG signal
Tells you info about the heart rate, rhythm, presence or absence of cardiac hypertrophy, ischemia, infarction
What are some heart issues you could recognize on an ECG?
- Bradycardia (slow HR)
- Tachycardia (Fast HR)
- Premature ventricular contractions (extrasystoles)
- Atrial Flutter
- 1st, 2nd, 3rd degree heart blocks
- Atrial & Ventricular fibrilation
- Myocardial ischemia & myocardial infarction
What are the mechanical events of the cardiac cycle?
Cardiac muscle contraction, Opening/Closing of heart valves, blood flow
Mechanical events in the heart cause low and high frequency vibrations, what is contributing to low and what is contributing to high?
Low: Muscle contraction
High: Valve action + Blood Flow
What is the Lub and Dub associated with on the EKG?
Lub is the closing of the AV valves (Ventricular systole)
Dub is coinciding with closing of aortic and pulmonary semilunar valves at ventricular diastole
Phonocardiography is?
Technique of recording and displaying heart sounds
Note: Both electrical and mechanical events of the cardiac cycle occur on the EKG but electrical events happen before mechanical
What happens to blood flow for someone who is lying in supine position
- Blood returning back to heart does not have to fight against gravity
- Venous return ↑ ==> SV ↑
- Arterial BP will increase causing baro-receptors to fire and ↓ sympathetic outflow and ↑PNS outflow to heart
- Peripheral vasodilation is stimulated so that BP goes ↓
Purpose: Homeostatic Mechanism to maintain MAP
What happens to blood flow for someone who is standing up?
- Blood pools in extremeties
- ↓Venous Return and ↓SV
- ↓Arterial BP causes less baroreceptor activity and ↑SNS to Heart and Vasculature
- ↑HR and Contractility which stimulates peripheral vasoconstriction and BP↑
Purpose: Homeostatic mechanism to maintain MAP
What is the purpose of the Valsava manuever?
Test for autonomic nervous system dysfunction