Ventricualr Arrhythmias Flashcards
What are three common causes of ventricular foci?
Hypoxia, hypokalemia, disease of the heart
In a clinical setting, most deadly ventricular tachycardia are due to what?
Coronary insufficiency or MI.
What does cocaine have to do with ventricular arrhythmias?
Cocaine causes big time coronary spasm which irritate the heck out of the ventricle foci because of hypoxia. Super dangerous ventricular arrhythmias can occur.
What’s goin on during a PVC and what do we see on EKG?
Some ventricular foci is irritated and prematurely fires causing contraction. Super wide and deep QRS that is opposite the polarity of the normal QRS.
What usually follows the PVC on the EKG?
A compensatory pause of baseline
What is the most common cause of ventricular foci becoming irritated?
Hypoxia
What is the difference between unifocal and multi focal PVCs?
Unifocal is the same ventricular foci that is irritated, firing over and over. Multi focal is several different ventricular foci that are irritated and firing
What is the R on T phenomena?
PVC superimposing over the t wave of the preceding beat. Contraction over repolarization
What is the rate of V tach and what does it look like on EKG?
150-250. Respective PVC like QRS complexes.
2 big differences between V tach and Supraventricular Tachycardia?
V tach is usually due to coronary disease or infarction. This is a blood supply issue. Also, the QRS is wider than .14. Super wide QRS.
What’s goin on with V fib and what is the actual problem?
Tons of ventricular foci are firing. Super eradic. Killing the heart as a pump. Can’t contract/pump like this. Emergency.
What can lead to V fib, what abnormal rhythm?
V flutter.
What is the EKG hallmark of V flutter?
Rapid series of sine waves.
