Mod11 Defibrillation Flashcards
SA node
located in RA; has the highest rate of spontaneous depolarization therefore is considered the native pacemaker
AV node
small subendocardial structure composed of atrial conduction fibers; within interatrial septum; receives ANS innovation
3 functions of AV node
provides a delay btw atrial and ventricular contraction; regulates number of impulses that reach ventricles and acts as pacemaker when SA node fails
Purkinje fibers
forms Bundle of His that comes from AV node; bifurates within muscular septum and divides into R and L bundle branches; the branches terminate in the Purkinje fibers; very little ANS innovation
Pacemaker
responsible for initiating and self-propagating wave of depolarization; myocardium has ability to exhibit excitability when stimulated; BUT excitability is NOT directly related to strength of stimulus
Excitability at cellular level
maintained by electrical transmembrane potential where chemical gradient are imperative in generation of potential
Rate of depolarization of myocardium depends on
presence of ischemia/infarct, electrolyte imbalances, some drugs
Artificial pacemaker
device used to temporarily external, temporarily transvenous or permanently (in vitro/implantable) to treat arrhythmias; does this by supplying heart with pulse of energy
Artificial pacemakers are composed of:
one+ pacing leads (thin wires advanced into heart), pulse generator (supplies the power)
Pacing leads composed of;
electrode, conductor, insulation, and connector pin
Active fixation
1/2 methods to hold lead in place; leads have barb or screw that is fixed or retractable and embeds into myocardium
Passive fixation
1/2 methods to hold lead in place; leads have fins at tip that get entangled into trabeculation of ventricle; tip leads are corticosteroid eluding to try and reduce high pacing thresholds shortly after implantation due to the hyperacute injury to the myocardium
Pulse generator includes:
power source (battery), output circuit, and header with connector (to connect leads to generator)
New technology are advanced:
have rate adaptive sensors, have telemetry, and microprocessors that allow storage of diagnostic info
External Telemetry
allows generator to receive info from programmer and to send info back via radiofrequency waves (each manufacturing company uses their own wave freq)
Info retrieved through telemetry:
battery status, lead impedance, current, pulse amplitude, pulse duration and occurrence of arrhythmia
Stimulation threshold
minimum amount of energy a device is required to deliver to produce depolarization of myocardium; DEPENDENT ON pulse duration and pulse amplitude
Sensing
endocardial electrode is responsible for sensing any native heart rhythm; if HR is below/above programmed rate; the PM will be activated
Unipolar leads
has one conductor and one electrode; lead tip that functions as cathode and the pulse generator functions as anode; have larger diameter lead wire and don’t offer as many functions as bipolar
Bipolar leads
2 conductors and 2 electrodes; uses lead tip as cathode but lead ring functions as anode; can be run in unipolar mode; advantage include reduction in intracardiac stimulation and more specific sensing