Other types of dysrrhythmias

Question 1

What are the causes, signs and symptoms of atrioventricular block

Answer 1

-damage to AV node
- drugs (beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, digoxin)
- reduction/loss of cardiac output, potential unconsciousness

Question 2

What is the treatment of atrioventricular block

Answer 2

• removal of offending medication
• pace the ventricles

Question 3

What are the causes and signs of Torsades de Pointes

Answer 3

• prolongation of action potential (class 3, amiodarone and sotalol)
• inherited long QT
• ECG changing amplitude of QRS complexes (twisting of the points)

Question 4

what is the treatment of torsades de pointes

Answer 4

• beta blocker if inherited long QT
• withdrawal of offending drug

Question 5

What are the causes and signs of ventricular fibrillation

Answer 5

• re-entrant rhythm usually as a result of an MI
• ECG trace random, no clear QRS complexes
• no cardiac output

Question 6

what is the treatment of ventricular fibrillation

Answer 6

• defibrillator
• Class 1 and 3 antidysrrhythmics (amiodarone, lidocaine, flecanide)