SM 135 Bradycardia Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the location of the SA Node?

A

SA Node is found in the sulcus terminalis, at the junction of the SVC + R. Atrium, and is relatively epicardial

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What major anatomical landmark is near the SA Node?

A

The junction of the SVC and R. Atrium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Does the SA Node show up on EKG and why?

A

SA Node does not show up on EKG because it is a very small group of cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the function of the SA Node?

A

The SA Node is the natural pacemaker of the heart and sets the heart rate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is a sinus rhythm?

A

A normal heart rate set by the SA Node

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What outflow(s) of the nervous system control the SA Node?

A

The SA Node and the heart rate are manipulated by Sympathetic Tone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How is the R. Atrium connected to the L. Atrium?

A

Via Bachmann’s Bundle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How is the SA Node connected to the AV Node?

A

Internodal tracts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What outflow(s) of the nervous system control the AV Node?

A

Both Sympathetic and Parasympathetic (Vagal) Tone control the AV Node

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Does the AV Node show up on EKG and why?

A

The AV Node does not show up on EKG because it’s a small group of cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Where is the AV Node found?

A

At the junction of the R. Atrium and R. Ventricle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How does conduction change at the AV Node?

A

Conduction is delayed at the AV Node to allow the Atria to contract and the Ventricles to fill

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the components of the His-Purkinje system?

A

Bundle of His, R + L Bundle Branches, Purkinje Fibers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Describe conduction in the His-P system?

A

“Highway” = rapidly conducting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How does the Left Bundle Branch compare to the Right Bundle Branch?

A

Both are part of the His-P system, but the Left Bundle Branch is much larger and more branched than the Right Bundle Branch

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

When does the SA Node depolarize?

A

Before the P wave - not seen on EKG

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

When do the Atrial Myocardium and Internodal tracts depolarize?

A

During the P wave

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

When does the AV Node depolarize?

A

During the PR interval, which represents a pause between Atrial and Ventricular contraction; before the His-P system depolarizes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

When does the His-P System depolarize?

A

During the PR interval; after the AV Node

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

When does the Ventricular Myocardium depolarize?

A

During the QRS complex

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

When does the Ventricular Myocardium repolarize?

A

During the T wave

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What heart rate represents Bradyarrhythmia?

A

Ventricular rate < 60 bpm

23
Q

What are the symptoms of Bradyarrhythmia?

A

Syncope, dizziness - may be asymptomatic

24
Q

Where along the conduction system of the heart do arrhythmia’s usually arise?

A

Usually arise in the SA and AV node

25
Q

What intrinsic pathologies underlie Sinus Node dysfunction?

A

Problems with Impulse Formation and Impulse Propagation to the AV Node, as well as age-associated fibrosis

26
Q

What does Impulse Formation in the SA Node correspond to on the Pacemaker AP?

A

Impulse propagation errors arise during Phase 4 of the Pacemaker AP

27
Q

How do Impulse Formation issues manifest in the SA Node?

A

Sinus Bradycardia, Chronotropic Incompetence, Tachy-Brady Syndrome, and Sinus Arrest

28
Q

What can cause Sinus Bradycardia?

A

Insufficient depolarization frequency

29
Q

How does Chronotropic Incompetence usually present?

A

Normal resting HR + inadequate HR response to exercise

30
Q

How does Phase 4 of the Pacemaker AP set the HR?

A

The slope of Phase 4 sets the Heart Rate, with cells higher in the SA node having sharper slopes and setting faster Heart Rates

31
Q

What extrinsic pathologies underlie sinus node syfunction?

A

Medications such as Beta blockers and Calcium channel blockers, electrolyte abnormalities, hypotension and hypothyroidism

32
Q

Why is increased Vagal tone to the SA Node usually not pathologic?

A

Increased vagal tone decreases sinus rate, but usually as a compensatory measure such as athletes with hypertrophied hearts

33
Q

What is Tachycardia-Bradycardia syndrome?

A

A burst of tachycardic activity driven by an external stimulus followed by a period of bradycardic activity due to myocardial stunning after the stimulus is removed

34
Q

What can cause a 1st degree AV block?

A

Interference at the AV Node due to scarring or high vagal stimulation

35
Q

How does a 1st degree AV block present?

A

Delayed PR interval between Atrial and Ventricular depolarization with no dropped beats

36
Q

What can cause reversible damage to the AV Node?

A

Increased Vagal Tone - can be countered with drugs

37
Q

What can cause irreversible damage to the AV Node?

A

Scar formation - cannot be healed

38
Q

What can cause a 2nd degree AV block?

A

Interference at the AV Node due to scarring or high vagal stimulation

39
Q

How does a 2nd degree Type 1 AV block present?

A

Progressively longer delays between the P wave and QRS complex with dropped beats

40
Q

How do a 1st degree and 2nd degree AV block differ?

A

2nd degree AV blocks have dropped beats and may have varying PR intervals, while 1st degree AV blocks do not drop beats and have constant PR intervals

41
Q

What can cause increased Vagal Tone?

A

Athletes and post-surgery; affect the AV Node

42
Q

How does a 2nd degree Type 2 AV block present?

A

Fixed delays between the P wave and QRS complex with dropped beats

43
Q

Which type of 2nd degree AV block requires a pacemakers?

A

Type 2 2nd degree AV block requires a pacemaker

44
Q

Which type of 2nd degree AV block is worse?

A

Type 2 is worse because it is due to damage to the conduction fibers in the His-P system, while Type 1 is often from transient increases in Vagal tone

45
Q

How do Type 1 and Type 2 2nd degree AV blocks differ?

A

Type 1 has progressive delays between the P wave an QRS complex that climax cyclically in a dropped beat while Type 2 has constant delays

46
Q

How does a 3rd degree AV block present?

A

P waves show up independent of QRS complexes

47
Q

What causes a 3rd degree AV block?

A

A total blockage in conduction from the AV Node to the Ventricles

48
Q

Does a 3rd degree AV block need a pacemaker?

A

Yes

49
Q

What types of AV blocks need a pacemaker?

A

2nd Degree Type 2 + 3rd Degree AV Blocks need pacemakers

50
Q

Why can QRS complexes form independently of P waves in a 3rd degree AV block?

A

Despite the total block between the AV Node and the Ventricles, escape pacemakers can provide autorhythmicity at relatively slower rates

51
Q

What are the escape pacemakers?

A

The Junctional Escape Rhythm and the Ventricular Escape Rhythm

52
Q

Which escape pacemaker is faster and why?

A

The Junctional Escape pacemaker is faster at 40-60bpm, while the Ventricular Escape pacemaker is slower at 20-40bpm; this is because the Junctional Escape pacemaker uses the His-P conduction system while the Ventricular Escape pacemaker relies on cell junctions

53
Q

Which escape pacemaker uses the His-P system?

A

The Junctional Escape rhythm, which results in the formation of fast and narrow QRS complexes while the Ventricular Escape pacemakers forms slow and wide QRS complexes

54
Q

How does the His-P system alter the QRS complex on EKG?

A

Signals that use the His-P system, such as Sinus rhythm and Junctional Escape Pacemaker, form narrow and fast QRS while those that don’t, such as the Ventricular Escape Pacemaker, form slow and wide QRS