Quiz 8 Flashcards
what are the characteristics of a wandering atrial pacemaker?
- Irregular rhythm (typically)
- normal HR 60 - 100 (typically; can be slower)
- Pwaves dissimilar (can have 3 diff. variations in 1 strip)
- PR interval varies
- QRS normal
what is a wandering atrial pacemaker?
when the pacemaker shifts from SA node to ectopic (non-SA node) sites
REMINDER: An ectopic pacemaker is a group of cells that cause a premature heartbeat to occur outside of the SA node
Where are wandering atrial pacemakers seen?
In sleep, chronic lung disease, valvular heart disease; and doxin toxcity
What is the character difference between a wandering atrial pacemaker and a multifocal atrial trachycardia?
HR - it is usually greater than 100 compared to wandering which is 60 - 100 (typically).
**MAT is only concerning based on the presence or absence of heart disease.
MAT also can take place so fast the T-wave can (sometimes) be hidden in the p.
What atrial arrhythmia is associated with COPD and congestve heart failure?
Multifocal atrial trachycardia
What is a premature atrial contraction (PAC)
A single, early ectopic atrial foci
If ectopic impulse is early, the bundle branches may not have fully repolarized.
What is nonconducted PAC?
Early, etopic impluse not conducted to the ventricles.
Resulting in the absence of a PR interval and QRS complex @ the nonconducted PAC; all other areas of the rhythm/strip will still be regular.
What is Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia (PAT) aka Paroxysmal Superventricular Atrial Tachycardia (PSAT)
A sudden change in rhythm (into atrial tachycradia); its often initiated by PAC
What does PAT & PSAT looks like?
3 or greater consecutives PAC’s, then a sudden stop in this PAC pattern
What are the characteristics of PAT?
abnorma pwaves (partially or completely hidden in t); 140-250bpm; PR interval = normal or intermediate; QRS can be either normal or abnormal
A PAT can be so fast you can sometimes feel it in your throat. ALos comes w/ dizzy and lightheadedness.
What is cardioversion used for and what does it do?
used to control trachyarrythmias and it helps reset the SA node rhythm when pharmaceuticals don’t work.
(Its a milder AED, it synchs with the R waves and is performed under sedation)
What does an atrial flutter look like on a EKG strip?
Sawtooth (e.g. flutter)
(atrial HR = 250-400 bpm; vent. HR = 75 - 150)
So fast the impulse may not leave the atria. (not good for moving blood thru the chambers.)
What are the attributes of A. Fib?
No P waves (F waves present b4 QRS), so we can;t count atrial rate
R-waves are irregular due to beat constantly changing.
(NO Saw tooth appearance)
What are the attributes of A. Flutter
Saw tooth appearance, but No pwaves (only F waves) so can’t count PR Interval
R waves typically regular
QRS complex normal = narrow & less than 0.12 (<3 small boxes)
