Tachyarrhythmias Flashcards
1
Q
PAC characteristics
A
- Early atrial depolarization
- Bigeminal or trigeminal
- P wave morphology may be different
2
Q
SVT characteristics
A
- Narrow QRS complex at 140-240 bpm
- Abrupt onset/offset
- P wave buried in QRS
3
Q
What causes SVT?
A
An accessory pathway
4
Q
What terminates SVT?
A
Adenosine
5
Q
AV re-entry tachycardia: Normal conduction/sinus steps
A
- Conduction occurs normally through atrium
2. Accessory pathway conducts to ventricles & AV node
6
Q
AV re-entry tachycardia: Tachycardia activation steps
A
- Premature beat arrives while accessory is still refractory
- Slowly activates AV node
- By the time the signal reaches the ventricle, accessory pathway has recovered & is able to transmit signal to atria
- Atria reactivates ventricle via AV node
7
Q
Concealed pathway
A
SVT via an accessory pathway, but has normal EKG
8
Q
WPW characteristics
A
- SVT via accessory pathway & has delta wave on resting/sinus EKG
- Pre-excitation of ventricle in the location of accessory pathway, while conducting through AV node
- Narrow PR interval
9
Q
WPW definition
A
Must have SVT, sx, & delta wave on EKG
10
Q
AVNRT: Dual AV nodal physiology
A
- Slow pathway (fast recovery)
- Fast pathway (slow recovery)
11
Q
AVNRT: Initiation of tachycardia
A
- Normal impulse conducted
- PAC occurs (conducted via slow pathway bc fast pathway is refractory)
- PAC reaches end of slow pathway –> fast pathway is recovered –> transmits signal to atria
12
Q
Atrial tachycardia characteristics
A
- Originates within atria, but outside sinus node
- Bc rate is faster than sinus rate, it takes over as main pacemaker
- Rate of 140-220, rarely sustained for long periods
- P wave often buried within T wave
- Not terminated by adenosine
- May require meds if symptomatic
13
Q
Multifocal atrial tachycardia
A
- Multiple ectopic foci in atria firing –> multiple p wave morphology
- HR: 100-150
- Transitional arrhythmia from AT to AF
14
Q
What is the most common cause of COPD?
A
MAT
15
Q
AF characteristics
A
- Ventricular rates are usually fast, over 100
- No discernable p waves