M103 T3 L6 Flashcards
Which organ is a functional synctium and why?
the heart bc it is gap junctions that electrically couple cells
What are the three types of cardiomyocytes?
Pacemaker cells – set the heart’s rhythm
Conducting cells – transmit rhythm throughout the heart
Contractile cells – contract to the rhythm set by the conducting cells (most numerous)
What are the speeds of propagation in contractile cells, purkinje fibres, the fastest neurons and the AV node?
Contractile - 0.3-0.5 m/s
Purkinje fibres - up to 5 m/s
fastest neurons ~100 m/s
AV node 0.05 m/s
What is the effect of cardiomyocytes being linked by low resistance pathways associated with gap junctions at the intercalated discs?
When an actpt depolarises one cell, it initiates an actpt in the adjacent cell
Where does the electrical impulse go when its travelling through the heart?
starts in the SA node - AV bundles
atrium - AV node
travels through a hole in the fibrous skeleton
enters the conducting system (the CS starts at the bundle of his, goes on either side of the heart, bundle branches, towards the valves)
What is the function of internodal bundles?
to conduct impulse from SA node to AV node
to ensure synchronous contraction of the atria
What are the conducting speeds through the atrial muscle and through bundles?
atrial muscle - slow at 0.3-0.5 m/s
bundles - much faster at 1.0 m/s
How many specialised bundles are there in the atria?
4 bundles that are all in direct contact with atrial muscle
How long is the electrical delay at the AV node and why is it useful?
AV node delays wave of excitation from atria to ventricles by 0.1 - 0.2 s
it means that ventricles contract after atria to permit longer and more effective ventricular filling
What is the electrical delay at the AV node caused by?
the actpt is conducted very slowly in AV node (0.05 m/s) bc the AV node composed of small modified myocytes
AAR the electrical connection between adjoining cells is weaker
Where does the AV node lead on to?
AV node - purkinje fibres - ventricles - contractile myocytes
the AV node connects to the bundle of His followed by Purkinje fibre system
Purkinje fibres transmit the impulse rapidly to the main mass of the ventricles
from there slower conduction between contractile myocytes can occur
In what order are the areas of the ventricular wall depolarised by the electrical signal?
septum, apex, AV groove
Why do the purkinje fibres conduct relatively fast?
bc they have a larger diameter
From where is the electrical activity of the heart measured and how is this possible?
on the skin
The individual currents of cardiac myocytes are tiny - a few nano-amps
These currents can be detected from the wrist and the ankle, nearly one metre from the heart
this is possible because the heart is a “functional syncytium” in which large groups of cells all make electrical changes simultaneously
What are the medical benefits of the ECG?
Excellent for heart rate rather than just taking a pulse
Especially useful when the atrial rate ≠ ventricular rate
is very fast and affordable
What are the medical disadvantages of the ECG?
Many subtleties
Not a one-stop-diagnosis
Patient Hx essential for interpretation
a full diagnosis requires other techniques
Where are the leads placed on Lead II?
positive electrode on left leg
negative electrode on right arm
ground electrode on the right leg (although the ground could be almost anywhere)
What are the 12 standard leads?
three bipolar leads - I, II, III
three augmented leads (on the frontal plane)
six precordial (V1-6)
What is the interpretation if the QRS is wide or mishapen?
the ventricular conduction is abnormal
e.g. ectopic pacemaker or bundle branch block
What will lead to a bigger contribution to the ECG?
more cells acting together
What cells are the primary drivers of the QRS and how do the G fibres and the conduction system compare?
the contractile cells are the primary drivers of the QRS complex
whereas there are only a tiny number of G fibres in the heart, which have almost no contribution to the ECG
the conduction system have such small electrical signals that it’s impossible to detect them from the wrist and from the leg
What is a large (deep) Q wave a sign of?
dead tissue (old MI)
What criteria is required IOT recognise sinus rhythm (normal)?
Each P wave is followed by a QRS complex
When PR interval is always normal (3-5 little boxes)
What are the normal PR / QRS / QT durations in boxes and ms?
PR interval duration = 3-5 boxes / 120 – 200 ms
QRS complex duration = 2-3 boxes / 80 – 120 ms
QT interval duration = 9-11.5 boxes / 360 – 460 ms
What is the horizontal scale in cm/sec on an ECG for one little box and one big box?
Horizontal scale is 2.5 cm/sec.
One little box = 1 mm = 40 ms (milliseconds)
A big box = 5 little boxes = 200 ms
How is the rate and ventricular rate calculated on an ECG?
rate - count how many boxes occur between two P waves
ventricular rate - how many boxes between R waves
What is the bpm for the first 10 boxes?
1 big box = 300 bpm 2 boxes = 150 bpm 3 boxes = 100 bpm 4 boxes = 75 bpm 5 boxes = 60 bpm 6 boxes = 50 bpm 10 boxes = 30 bpm
How do you calculate the bpm for a big box on an ECG?
300 / big boxes
What three things does a parasympathetic withdrawal cause an increase in?
heart rate
contractility
conduction velocity
How does sympathetic input to heart work?
travels via the stellate nerves
Which two types of drugs will increase and decrease the heart rate?
Beta agonists - increased rate
Beta blockers - decreased rate
What are the four different categories of severity for heart blocks?
1st degree heart block (asymptomatic)
2nd degree heart block (Mobitz T1&2, asymptomatic or mild symptoms)
3rd degree heart block (serious symptoms)
What conditions will you have to read ECGs on?
1st & 3rd degree heart block Mobitz Types 1&2 block Premature Ventricular contractions AV heart block Bundle Branch Block AF Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia Acute MI (STEMI)
How can a first degree heart block be identified from an ECG?
Delayed AV node transmission
PR interval > 5 little boxes (200 ms), normal PR < 5 little boxes
But all P’s followed by QRS and vv
What are the clinical features of first degree heart block?
Almost always asymptomatic
Often young people (adolescents)
Rarely treated
How can Mobitz Type I and Type 2 blocks be identified from an ECG?
type 1: increased PR interval (AV damage)
type 2: stable PR interval (BoH issue), some P waves blocked, aren’t followed by QRS complex